**Note: Pastor Ryan is on vacation and Annual Conference from Wednesday, June 23 through Wednesday, July 7. After next week’s edition, the following edition will not be published until Thursday, July 8.
RECAP–WALKING WITH OUR LORD based on Revelation 21:22-22:15
#2 Hymn–In the Garden
The context for the Hymn (based on Godtube.com)
Here is the account of how this beautiful hymn was written from the hymn writer, C. Austin Miles, himself, “One day in April 1912, I was seated in the dark room where I kept my photographic equipment, and also my organ. I drew my Bible toward me and it opened at my favorite book and chapter, John chapter twenty. I don’t know if this was by chance or by the work of the Holy Spirit. I will let you the reader decide. That story of Jesus and Mary in John 20 had lost none of its power and charm.
It was though I was in a trance, as I read it that day, I seemed to be part of the scene. I became a silent witness to that dramatic moment in Mary’s life when she knelt before her Lord and cried, “Rabboni”. I rested my hands on the open Bible, as I stared at the light blue wall. As the light faded, I seemed to be standing at the entrance of a garden, looking down a gently winding path, shaded by olive branches. A woman in white, with head, bowed, hand clasping her throat, as if to choke back her sobs, walked slowly into the shadows. It was Mary. As she came unto the tomb, upon which she placed her hand, she bent over to look in and ran away.
John, in a flowing robe, appeared looking at the tomb. Then came Peter, who entered the tomb, followed slowly by John. As they departed, Mary reappeared leaning her head upon her arm at the tomb, she wept. Turning herself, she saw Jesus standing there, so did I. I knew it was He. She knelt before Him, with arms outstretched, and looking into His face cried, “Rabboni”.
I awakened in sunlight, gripping my Bible with my muscles tense, and nerves vibrating, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I wrote as quickly as the words could be formed the lyrics exactly as it is sung today. That same evening, I wrote the tune. It is sung today as it was written in 1912.”
SERMON RECAP
What an amazing scene it must have been for Mary in the garden, by the tomb, reconnecting with her LORD! We were never there; however, we all long for the day when we will finally see Jesus face to face! When we were created, we were meant to walk with our Lord and have regular daily fellowship with him. Adam and Eve were created and placed in the garden, where God walked with them regularly in the cool of the day. But sin entered the world and severed that relationship, and the time of walking in the garden came to a close. Through the love of God, and the willing sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, restoration became possible and the hope of reuniting in the garden is made possible again.
We long for heaven. We look forward to the day when we can walk with Jesus. A day will come, according to Revelation 21 and 22, when we will be able to experience again what humanity lost:
1) We will constantly be surrounded by God’s presence. We don’t have to hunt and find God, for we will literally be surrounded by him, knowing he is always there. We are in harmony with one another.
2) We will walk in the light. There will be no more night, both literally and figuratively. Those things that bring us night and darkness (personal struggles & corporate struggles) will be removed. No longer will there be things to hold us down or back. We will be truly free!
3) We will drink the living water. Without water, we die. Water is the ultimate source of nourishment. The living water will flow from God himself. As we drink the water, we are taking in the very presence of God and all the nourishment we could possibly need to live.
4) We will eat from the tree of life. The tree which humanity was banned from due to sin would be accessible again. The leaves provide healing for the nations. The fruit empowers us to know God more fully and become more like him.
5) We will see God’s face. No longer will God’s face be hidden from humanity, for when we have partaken from the living water and eaten from the tree of life, we will no longer have any stain or remnant of sin; we will be completely pure in God’s sight, able to see his face like Adam and Eve did so long ago.
But for us to walk in the garden, we have to make a choice like Adam and Eve did. Will we follow the voice of the Lord, or take the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
Will our names be found in the Lamb’s book of life? Is Jesus our Lord and Savior?
Will our robes be washed in the blood of the lamb? Will we live a life of holiness, striving to become more like Jesus in word and deed?
Will we remove the curse and stain of sin–specifically, the stain of purposeful, rebellious sin?
Seeing Jesus in the garden brought Mary great joy; how much greater our joy when we will see Jesus one day!
Questions for reflection
1) How does the love of God impact your life?
2) What “night” do you hope to see come to a close in your life?
3) Why is it important to have a regular diet of the living water and fruit of the Word?
4) Why does purposeful sin keep us from the garden?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday Pastor Ryan continues the Favorite Hymn Series with our #1 hymn, based on John 8:1-11. What is the power of grace? Come or tune in Sunday to find out.
Daily Bible Readings for June 15 – 21
June 15: 2 Kings 8:1-6 What blessing did the Shunnamite receive for walking with God?
June 16: 2 Kings 20:1-11 What blessing did Hezekiah receive for walking with God?
June 17: Proverbs 2 What blessing can we receive if we walk in the path of wisdom?
June 18: 1 Peter 2:4-12 What does it mean to walk with God?
June 19: Revelation 22:1-6 What is the ultimate blessing for walking with God?
June 20: Mark 2:1-12 What grace did Jesus show the paralytic?
June 21: Mark 5:21-43 What grace did Jesus show a little girl and a sick woman?
This Week’s Events:
Wednesday, June 16–Fundraiser for Tucker Dean
Thursday, June 17–Leadership Team @ 7 PM
Sunday, June 20–Outdoor Worship
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, June 26–Josh McDowell @ Antioch
Sunday, June 27–Gideons Sunday
Sunday, June 27 – Sunday, July 4–Annual Conference
Sunday, July 11–Summer Vespers
Announcements:
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
As we look at the ability to reopen in the coming weeks, we are in need of both worship leaders and children’s story. We are looking for one person each week, rather than a month at a time. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Tammy Stine (children’s story).
Congrats, Graduates!
This week, Beaver Creek saw three graduates and honored them in our Sunday morning service. Congrats to Emma Eckard, Becca Shiflet, and Andrew Stine! May the Lord continue to bless you as you continue your journey in this new chapter of life!
Summer Vespers
In place of our Lenten Vespers, we will have summer outdoor vespers on our church grounds three Sunday evenings during the summer: July 11, August 8, and September 5 at 6:30 pm. Come enjoy some fellowship, campfire songs, and our wonderful church family outdoors! More details will be coming in future editions.
Brethren Woods–Fundraising Opportunities
Thank you to all who have given so far! Pastor Ryan will be soaked! But if Pastor Ryan is the highest money raiser for this fundraiser for Brethren Woods, he will get a weekend retreat at Forest Haven. So let’s continue to give toward the cause!
What is more, Winnie Wilfong has agreed (in part, due to Tom’s volunteering!) to also take a bucket of water for camp! If the kids can be involved, she will let each of the kids who participate dump a bucket of water on her! So far, we have raised $900. Can we get to $1000 total?
We plan to get soaked during outdoor worship Sunday, June 20!
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) Restoration of the national church
7) Revival
Nursery
Misti Wheelbarger is looking for volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour for next year. If you are willing to help, even if it is just for a Sunday, please reach out to her and let her 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 at the main entrance as you enter for church
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)
Sam Carr (health)
Cooper family (challenges)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Tina Dotson (COVID)
Bill Eckard (health)
John Fix (addiction)
Janet Good (health)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Shannon Hollen (health)
Shirley Holland (health)
Heath Kimmell (health)
Larry LaPrade (COVID)
Lent family (work)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Alda Miller (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Mary Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (procedure)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Evy Kaye Sandin (health)
Chris Shirk (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Curtis Thompson (health)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Owen Wright (health)–it was great to see Owen this past weekend!
Tyler Zombro (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek COB