RECAP: DREAMS & VISIONS based on Joel 2:28-32
The Day of Pentecost changed everything. When the Holy Spirit came, the disciples were transformed from those who preferred to remain in the background to those spilling into the streets, declaring the good news of Jesus Christ! That same Spirit is still available for us today. Do we desire to be filled with the Spirit? Are we willing to dream big? We can experience rebirth, revival, and renewal through the Holy Spirit. How can we experience renewal in our day?
- Receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28a). Jesus came to bring salvation but also grant us access to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is meant to empower us to live in the regular presence and power of God. The Spirit gives us the boldness not to hold back, but to remain strong in our faith. But in order to receive Spirit, we must be an open vessel. We must put away those things that hold us back from following God wholeheartedly. To embrace the Spirit’s leading, we must relinquish control of our lives and allow the Spirit to lead the way!
- Prophesy! Dream dreams! See Visions! (Joel 2:28b-29). How do we know we have received the Spirit? There will be evidence of change within us. It might look like speaking in other languages on that day. But one thing was clear–the disciples were transformed into bold individuals who openly shared the gospel and were willing to step out in faith. We should prophesy the Word of God boldly and publicly. We can’t hide the Word or water it down; we must speak the truth! We should dream in how God can work among us, for with him nothing is impossible! We should look forward to who we can be in Christ! There is no dream too big for God!
- Nothing is too big for God (Joel 2:30-31). In the ancient world, eclipses and other celestial events were seen as omens, usually foretelling some bad event. But God is the creator of all celestial beings and is in control; therefore, nothing is too big for him! There is no obstacle that can appear in our way that is too big for God! The Holy Spirit means we have God’s power within, that all things are possible because of God in us! God is all we need. It does not matter how much opposition we face in culture, for one day every knee will bow to Jesus.
- Fulfill the Great Commission (Joel 2:32). The Holy Spirit’s outpouring is to empower us to complete Jesus’ mission–to seek and save the lost. The Spirit enables us to go and make disciples and will reveal what we need to say at what time. We have to be willing to invest in what God wants to do.
Renewal is possible in our day. Do we believe it? Can we dream big?
Questions for Reflection
1) Is there anything holding you back from going all-out for God? Can you surrender it?
2) What big dreams do you have for you? Your family? For Beaver Creek?
3) Is there an area that you struggle to believe that God can overcome? Is there something you deem impossible?
4) How can you increase your investment in fulfilling the Great Commission?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will begin the study in the discipline of study with the sermon titled, “The Value of Study”, based on Deuteronomy 6. Why is study so important? And how can study lead us to a life with more vitality? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for May 30 – June 5
May 30: John 16:1-16 What is the function of the Holy Spirit?
May 31: Romans 8:1-27 What is the function of the Holy Spirit?
June 1: Galatians 5:16-26 What is the function and fruit of the Spirit?
June 2: Acts 10:23-48 What is the true power of the Spirit?
June 3: 1 Corinthians 12 What are the spiritual gifts? How do they help the body of Christ?
June 4: Psalm 119:57-64 What are the benefits to the study of the Word?
June 5: Psalm 119:65-72 What are the benefits to the study of the Word?
This Week’s Events:
Tuesday, May 30–Membership Committee @ 7 pm
Sunday, June 4–First Sunday Offering–Ava Cares
Sunday, June 4–Summer Hours Begin; First Sunday Breakfast @ 8:45, Sunday School @ 9:15, Worship @ 10:30.
Sunday, June 4–Get Out Of Your Head Bible Study Begins, 4 pm @ Lynne Lent’s home.
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, June 15–Leadership Team Meeting
Saturday, June 17–Father/Son Dinner
Sunday, June 18–Graduation Recognition Sunday
Sunday, June 25–Outdoor Worship & Communion
Sunday, June 25–Summer Vespers @ 6 pm
Saturday, July 22–Back to School Event/Community Yard Sale
Sunday, August 13–Children’s Church begins
Announcements:
This weekend we will begin Summer hours! First Sunday Breakfast is 8:45, Sunday School 9:15, and Worship 10:30
Guidance– Spiritual Discipline Challenge
This week, spend some time in prayer asking specifically for the Lord to give you more of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate guide for what is right and what is truth. The disciples spent intentional time asking for God to pour out his Holy Spirit; may we do the same!
Graduate Recognition
We will be honoring our graduates on Sunday, June 18. If you have a graduate, please contact the church office so we can make sure they are recognized and honored. We are aware of six graduates already. We also are asking for a photo of each graduate to be submitted to the office.
Father/Son Dinner
Women’s Fellowship will host the father/son dinner on Saturday, June 17 @ 5 pm. The sign-up sheet will be on the bulletin board this Sunday. Please sign up if you plan to attend!
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!
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
We are in need of both worship leaders and children’s storytellers. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Phyllis Simmons (children’s story).
New Bible Study!
The Get Out of Your Head Bible study launches this Sunday, June 4 at 4 pm. The first session will take place at Lynne Lent’s home, 240 Ashby St, Dayton. All are welcome to attend!
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 six to eight volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour and church hour. 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. If you are interested and would like 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 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 & Carolyn Wine
Eddie Baker (health)
Terri Burkholder (health)
Deanne Dastoli (health)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
John Fix (addiction)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Bob Hess (health)
Darlene LaPrade (health)
Lynne Lent (health)
Alma Long (health & recovery)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Norlen Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Mary M Miller (health)
Savannah Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Whitmore family (house)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Wilfong Family (loss; Dakota Fulk family_
Cindy Wittig (recovery)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church