RECAP: Put it On! based on Colossians 3:12-17
On Halloween, the kids who are participating in trick-or-treating are obvious, for they are wearing costumes. The customer broadcasts to those around that they are looking for candy–they stand out! It is the same with a good buffalo wing. A good wing stands out when it is compared to other “wing pretenders.” And being a chicken wing aficionado, I will gravitate toward the real wings any day! Just like kids on Halloween stand out and a good chicken wing stands out, so too we as people of faith should stand out. Our conduct and practice should be so distinct from the world around us that it should be obvious to all around that we belong to Christ.
Paul understood this to be true as well and tried to convey this to the Colossian church. If one is to truly live out their faith, one needs to take off the things that weigh them down into bondage and put on clothes that distinctly point to faith. Clothes reveal in part who you are. In earlier times, clothing marked what social class you were a part of, as well as how wealthy you were. Today, the material of clothing often distinguishes the level of wealth. But do we wear the clothes of Jesus? Can people see what we are wearing and know that we belong to him?
If we are living for Christ, we should be wearing:
1) Godly character. Our very lives should embody the characteristics of God, for we are his chosen, holy and dearly loved people. Our lives should demonstrate the fruit of the spirit and characteristics of God, such as his compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility, and patience. There should be a stark contrast to the ways of the flesh that we need to take off: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, idolatry, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.
If we claim to live for Christ, yet still live for the world, we are confused. We send the world a mixed message about the character of God, and we deceive ourselves into thinking God would recognize and honor us. It would be just as strange as if one wore both Virginia Tech and UVA colors at the same time, or Commanders and Cowboys gear at the same time! Just like these sports teams are polar opposites of each other, the same is true between a life of faith and life for the world. If we try to wear both colors, we confuse ourselves and do not really represent Christ.
2) Forgiveness. Jesus operated with forgiveness and grace. Our world on the other hand is not as gracious, not living in forgiveness. Even though it is very hard to do, for we often want the one who is wounded to suffer. What if we, instead of viewing the one who wronged us as the villain, instead viewed each person as one who could use a touch of the grace of God? Jesus extended forgiveness to the very ones who crucified him. Can we be people of forgiveness and grace?
3) Love. This is not the love that the world preaches today, which is more of an eros and philew type of love. The world encourages us in “love” to accept not just everyone, but everything, which includes unbridled pursuits of passion. But agape love is self-sacrificial love on behalf of another. In other words, the love of God is willing to put itself in harm’s way to better the life of another, even if the other person never says thank you. It is the type of love that is willing to get in the way of an individual about ready to drive off the cliff to save them, even if they want to drive off the cliff because everyone else is doing so! If we are clothed in God’s love, we care about the eternal souls of those around us and will do what we can to bring them to the foot of the One who can set them free! That is far different than just accepting anything!
4) Peace. When we are following God, he grants us his peace. That peace passes all understanding, is the steady calm when the storms of life are raging, and is at rest even in the midst of tragedy. Our world strives for peace but in the guise of tolerance and compromise of values. But life at true peace is grounded and anchored in the person of God and immersed in the message of his Word.
5) Thankfulness. Jesus constantly gave thanks. As we are full of thanksgiving, the material attachments break and we appreciate more what Christ has done for us. We no longer are compelled to go and acquire more and break the cycle of coveteousness that takes advantage of others.
We don’t see much character, forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness. What if we wore these things as Christ did? Our world would be a far different place! Can the world look at us and see Jesus?
Questions for Reflection
1) Does your character reflect God? Can others tell you are a faithful follower of Jesus? If not, what within you can you change?
2) Who do you need to let go and forgive?
3) Who do you know is making poor choices? How can you demonstrate agape love to them to help bring them to Jesus who can deliver?
4) Is your life centered in God’s peace? How can you embrace peace today?
5) What can you be thankful for?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the series in the book of Colossians with the sermon titled, “Healthy Relationships,” based on Colossians 3:18-4:6. When we live out our faith, our relationships will reflect Christ. How should we act toward one another? How is it different than culture? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for November 1-7
November 1: 1 Corinthians 13 What should we put on? Why?
November 2: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 What should we put on? Why?
November 3: Ephesians 4:17-32 How should a believer conduct themselves?
November 4: 1 Timothy 6:11-16 What should a believer pursue?
November 5: Revelation 7 What will be the sign of our faith in the end?
November 6: Deuteronomy 21:15-21 Why is it important for a parent to honor their children, and for children to honor their parents?
November 7: Proverbs 5 Why is fidelity important?
This Week’s Events:
Tuesday, November 1–Women’s Fellowship Mtg @ 1 pm
November 4 – 5–Beaver Creek Cares weekend
Sunday, November 6–First Sunday Breakfast & Offering & Daylight Savings Ends (turn clocks back an hour)
Sunday, November 6–Worship Team Meeting after service
Sunday, November 6–Chasing the Lions Bible Study at 4 pm (location TBD)
Monday, November 7–Pastoral Epistles Bible Study @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, November 13–Crestmen leading worship service
Thursday, November 17–Leadership Team Mtg @ 7 pm
Sunday, November 20–Stewardship Sunday
Sunday, November 27–Hanging of the Greens
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!
Beaver Creek Cares
Beaver Creek Cares is this weekend!
For Beaver Creek Cares, we once again will be taking a collection for Strength in Peers. If you would like to make a monetary donation instead of purchasing items, you can give the money to either Winnie or Diane, and they will shop on your behalf! They will be shopping tomorrow (Wednesday!)
New this year are exam care packages for our college students. There is a table in the narthex filled with index cards of specific items (such as cup of ramen). Please take the card, purchase the specified item, and return it with the index card by Friday, November 4 of Beaver Creek Cares. We still have several cards that have gone unclaimed; if you would like one, they will be there until Friday evening. If you have items to bring on the slip of paper, but won’t have them until Saturday or Sunday, please call the office and let us know so we do not double purchase! We will purchase any missing items during the Operation Christmas Child shopping Friday evening. Let us bless our six college students!
Schedule:
Friday, November 4
6:30 pm Soup & Sandwich Meal & Hot Dogs!
7:15 pm Vespers
8:00 pm Operation Christmas Child Shopping
Saturday, November 5
9:00 am Breakfast
9:30 am Activities including: Shoebox packing, Strength in Peers packing, Exam Kits, Teacher Appreciation Gifts, Trash Pickup
2:00 pm White Birch Bingo (awaiting confirmation)
Bible Study Opportunities!
The Chasing the Lion Bible Study will continue on Sunday, November 6 @ 4 pm. Location still TBD
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 storytellers. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Tammy Stine (children’s story).
Fall Festival
Thank you to all who participated in the Fall Festival!
Our best guess, we had around 125 guests and children who graced our doors.
We served 180 hot dogs, 6 dozen donuts, served 5 pounds of popcorn, and gave away over 3000 pieces of candy!
We could not have done it without your help, and a special thank you for the leadership of the Outreach Team. And if you have any ideas to make it even better for next year, please email me or call the office with your suggestion!
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
Sandy Bennington (comfort)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
John Fix (addiction)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Bob Hess (health)
Tori Jackson (peace)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Alda Miller (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Mary M Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Dan Rhodes (recovery from surgery)
Lottie Ritchie (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Whitmore family (various)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Owen Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church