RECAP: PASTORAL WISH based on Colossians 1:3-14
Paul planted the church in Colossae, a church that was only 15 km from Laodicea of Revelation (I apologize that I said 5 km in the sermon; I misread my notes!). Colossae had a similar cultural experience to Laodicea, including the same earthquake. What made Colossae have a different fate as a church than Laodicea? In part, it was because the church put into practice Paul’s letter which we will explore over the next several weeks.
Paul started his letter with a wish for the church. Paul viewed the church as his children, and he as the father. Just as I as a father to three girls want the ultimate best for them, and would do anything to help them succeed, so too Paul wanted to see the church succeed. The same is true of our heavenly Father: God wants to see us as his people succeed and thrive! What does God want for us? The same thing that Paul wanted for the Colossians and I want for my children:
1) Know God’s will. God’s will does not have to be a mystery. God wants us, just like Paul wanted the Colossians, to be filled with the knowledge of his will, revealed by spiritual wisdom and understanding. The more we spend time with God, the more he will make our way clear. Understanding comes as we break the entanglements with the world, do not conform to the world’s standards and ways, and are transformed by renewing our minds in the Holy Spirit. Then we can discern and approve the perfect, good, and pleasing will of God (see Romans 12:2). But if we are entangled with the world and try to chase after what the world values, we will become confused, lose our way, and have difficulty finding God’s will for our lives.
2) Live a worthy life. Satan wants us to believe the lie that we are never worthy of God and that we can never please God. Even though we are sinners, because of Christ’s love and sacrifice, we have become new in him; our sin has been washed away and we are white as snow. God is the one who grants us our worth. We don’t need to remain in guilt, condemnation, and unworthiness, for God tells us we are his chosen people. We can please God! And we do so by bearing the fruit of a life that has been touched by God. Our living should be a reflection of the work God has done within our heart. If we strive to live for God, even if we do fail along the way, we will still be welcomed and honored because of his great love!
3) Spiritual growth. God desires for us to grow. When we first become a Christian, we need his milk. But over time, just like a baby needs to transition to real food to thrive, we too can eat the meat and potatoes of God’s word. The more we spend time pursuing the knowledge of God as revealed in his Word and growing in the knowledge of God in relationship, spending time with the Lord on a daily basis, we will begin to grow!
4) Spiritual strength. God desires us to be strong. His power is what gives us strength, so we can put on the full armor of God and fight the ways of the enemy. His power, rooted in his joy, is what gives us the ability to stand strong, to endure and be patient, no matter what life throws at us. Satan wants us to quit at the first sign of trouble, but God wants us to stand, for he has given us all we need to be able to stand!
5) Our inheritance. God wants us to walk in the fullness of our inheritance. We have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light. Our old self has been put to death on the cross, and we are new creations! And our inheritance is heaven.
Will we walk in what God wants for us? The choice is ours–we can either embrace God’s best for our lives, or we can go or own way. Choose life!
Questions for Reflection
1) What entanglements do you need to be free from in order to discern God’s will for your life?
2) Do you believe God is pleased with your life? If you were to stand before Jesus at this moment, would the evidence of your life say you lived for him?
3) Do you have a regular diet of God’s word, prayer, and worship? Which practice could you increase?
4) Where in your faith walk do you feel the weakest? How can God help you find the strength to stand?
5) Does your life point to your future inheritance in heaven, or do you live for the moment?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the series in the book of Colossians with the sermon titled, “Good Fight,” based on Colossians 1:15-2:5. What should we be fighting for? How can God help us? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for September 27 – October 3
September 27: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 What was Paul’s wish for Corinth?
September 28: Galatians 1:1-10 What was Paul’s wish for Galatia?
September 29: Ephesians 3:14-21 What was Paul’s wish for Ephesus?
September 30: Deuteronomy 4 What was Moses’ wish for Israel?
October 1: 2 Peter 3:1-13 What was Peter’s wish for all humanity?
October 2: Deuteronomy 28 How can we fight the good fight? How could we lose it?
October 3: Deuteronomy 29 How can we fight the good fight? How could we lose it?
This Week’s Events:
Wednesday, September 28–Outreach Team Meeting @ Smiley’s, 7 pm
Sunday, October 2–First Sunday Breakfast & First Sunday Offering (Operation Christmas Child)
Sunday, October 2–Chasing the Lions Bible Study @ Scott & Heather’s (5509 Sagefield Dr, Rockingham)
Sunday, October 2–Worship Team meeting after church
Monday, October 3–Pastoral Epistles Bible Study @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, October 9–Love Feast
Saturday, October 22–Men’s Fellowship Chicken BBQ
Sunday, October 23–Chili/Soup Cook-Off & Council Meeting
Saturday, October 29–Fall Festival Outreach from 10 am to 1 pm
November 4 – 5–Beaver Creek Cares weekend
November 13–Crestmen leading worship service
Announcements:
BIRTHDAYS NEEDED!
If you are a newer attendee at Beaver Creek, please call the office or leave in the offering plate your birth date so we do not miss anyone!
Need for Altar Decorator
Are you artistic? Do you have a desire to worship God using arts/crafts behind the scenes? We are in need of an individual or team to help decorate the altar each week for the months of October through December. If you would like to know what is expected, please reach out to Alice Over, the Worship Team chair, for more information.
Bible Study Opportunities!
The Chasing the Lion Bible Study continues this Sunday at 4 pm. We will meet at Scott and Heather’s (5509 Sagefield Dr, Rockingham) this week. This study meets every Sunday at 4 pm.
Pastor Ryan will also continue the study on the books of 1 and 2 Timothy. Paul shared his heart with Timothy and gave him instructions for himself and the church after he was gone. Most of these letters are reflected even today. How can we live our faith? I encourage you to dig deeper into these two short books! We will meet on Mondays in the church library from 7 pm – 8 pm.
Take advantage of one of these two Bible studies today! If you would like to participate in the Timothy Bible study, please email Pastor Ryan or call the office.
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
We are still in need of both worship leaders and children’s stories. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Tammy Stine (children’s story).
Fall Festival & Beaver Creek Cares–Candy Request
Our outreach team is planning a fall festival for the church and community. Fall Festival will be Saturday, October 29 from 10 am to 1 pm. Beaver Creek Cares will be November 4-5.
For both, we will need individually wrapped fun-sized pieces of candy (Halloween style) for both the kids for Fall Festival and for the teachers for the appreciation gifts during Beaver Creek Cares. You can bring the candy to the narthex. We need lots and lots of candy!
Fall Festival
Fall Festival will take place Saturday, October 29 from 10 am to 1 pm. This will be a community-based outreach to reach children and young families in our areas. We will have several different activities:
Carnival games (with candy prizes)
Pumpkin painting
Costume contest
Food (hot dogs, chips, drinks, popcorn)
We are also working on a bounce house and a hayride!
Many hands make light work. We will need three different sets of volunteers for the event:
Saturday morning to help with set-up (arrive around 8:30 am)
Saturday to help with the event
Saturday early afternoon with clean up (arrive around 1 pm)
There is a more detailed sign-up list in the narthex. Please sign up where you can help. We also need volunteers to help pass out flyers once they are ready. Let us come together and let the families in our community know Beaver Creek cares!
Call to Prayer
Let us continue to pray for our nation in the following ways:
1) National return to God
2) Repentance of personal sin
3) Repentance of corporate sin
4) Healing for the brokenness of relationships
5) Our leaders
6) Revival
7) Guidance for our congregation in the days ahead
Idea Box!
What do you want to see at Beaver Creek? What are some ideas you have for the long-term growth of our congregation? Any outrageous outreach ideas? Please either email Pastor Ryan or write them down and place them in the brown suggestion box in the narthex. Dream big!
Nursery
The Christian Education Team is looking for volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour. If you are willing to help, even if it is just for a Sunday, please reach out to the Christian Education Team and let them know.
Four Ways to Give!
1) Mail your tithe into 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) Drop off in the offering plate on Sunday!
Prayer Needs
Continue to Keep in Prayer our members in Skilled Care Facilities: Mary G Miller, Shirley Miller, Stanley Suter & Carolyn Wine
John Bennington (health)
Sandy Bennington (health)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
John Fix (addiction)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Bob Hess (health)
Tori Jackson (peace)
Darlene LaPrade (health)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Torrey Meyer (well being)
Alda Miller (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Lottie Ritchie (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Whitmore family (various)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Winnie Wilfong (recovery)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Owen Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church