RECAP: LEAP OF FAITH based on Hebrews 11:1-19
For some reason in America, many people desire to find a way to earn their fifteen minutes of fame. Some try to earn that fame by making a fool of themselves on national television, such as streaking during a sporting event or singing horribly for American Idol. Others use their moment in the spotlight to try to find true love on shows like the Bachelor. Still, others use social media to become famous, trying to get the most likes on Instagram or creating a trend on Tik Tok like devious licks, encouraging an entire generation of youth to vandalize their schools because it is cool and popular!
Why does this happen? Because deep down, we all want lives that matter, that have meaning. We want to be remembered, acknowledged by someone, appreciated for who we are and what we have done. The same thing is true spiritually; we want our lives to count. Who do we remember? We remember those who had great faith, from those who performed great deeds such as David and Moses, to those who simply followed their convictions like Corrie ten Boom and Martin Luther King Jr, to those who simply reached out and changed lives like Mother Teresa. They were all people of faith, confident of what they hoped for, and had an assurance of things not seen. Many were ordinary, like the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. How can we too become people of faith, and see lives that count?
1) Does God’s opinion matter most? Both Cain and Abel had an opportunity to present God with an offering. But Cain only gave God a portion of his crops, treating God in a way casually, only out of necessity. But Abel gave God his very best because he viewed God as more important than anything. The same was true with Enoch; he desired walking with God and to develop a relationship with him far more than engaging in the wickedness of the world. Truly they understood what it meant to put God first.
Do we care about what God cares about, or do we value what the world offers more? Do we invest in our relationship with God, or do we give him our seconds?
2) Can we detach from the world and attach to God? Noah went against his entire generation, spending an entire year building an ark because God said so. People thought it strange that he did not participate in their immoral behavior, but this world was not his home. Abraham had it made in Ur, the center of civilization. He was wealthy, having large herds and many servants. But when the Lord called him to leave his country, he did so without hesitation. Both of these individuals were able to separate from the world because they chose to attach to God.
Attachment takes time and effort to build, especially when there is an unhealthy attachment already formed. If we want to fully attach to God, we need to let go of anything that could hold us back–even if it seems good!
3) Can we keep our eye on the promises? Abraham received the promise of an heir and received that promise at the ripe old age of one hundred! Sure, he tried to make that promise happen on his own and had to reap the consequences (Hagar and Ishmael). But when things looked rough, they never stopped believing in the promise. For it is far easier to build faith and attach to God when our eyes are fixed on something good! Do we cling to the promises God has given us? What about as a congregation? Or do we allow negative voices to cause us to give up on the promise?
4) Can we lay down our treasure? Abraham was asked several years later to lay down his treasured Isaac on the altar. God may have been doing this to test Abraham to see if he was faithful simply because of the gift given. But Abraham willingly laid down what was close to his heart because of his belief in God, and God honored his heart. Sometimes, we have things we treasure that we place above God. Can we lay that on the altar and trust solely in God?
The more we do these things, the more we grow in faith. The more we grow in faith, the more we touch the lives of others and make a difference. The best way we can impact this world is to simply take a leap of faith and live like we love Jesus!
Questions for Reflection
1) What is the level of your personal investment in your relationship with God?
2) What practices or ways of the world do you still allow into your life? Can you sever that tie if needed?
3) What promise of God do you cling to in times of adversity? If you don’t have one, I encourage you to read the Scriptures until you have one!
4) Is there anything you value more than your relationship with God? Can you give that up?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the “What’s Next” series with the sermon titled “Like the Master,” based on John 15:18-16:4. How can we best obey when times are difficult? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for October 26- November 1
October 26: Judges 2 How did Rahab demonstrate her faith?
October 27: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 How did Samuel demonstrate his faith?
October 28: Job 1 How did Job demonstrate his faith?
October 29: Isaiah 38 How did Hezekiah demonstrate his faith?
October 30: James 2 Why is faith so important? And why does it need to be coupled with action?
October 31: Deuteronomy 28:1-14 What is the blessing of obedience?
November 1: Deuteronomy 28:15-68 What is the curse of disobedience?
This Week’s Events:
Saturday, October 30–Men’s Fellowship Breakfast @ 7:15 am
Sunday, October 31–Love Feast & Torrey baptism
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, November 3–Worship Team @ 7:30 pm
Friday, November 5 – Saturday, November 6–Beaver Creek Cares
Thursday, November 18–Leadership Team @ 7 pm
Sunday, November 21–Called Council Meeting @ 12 pm
Sunday, November 28–Hanging of the Greens Celebration
Saturday, December 4–Women’s Fellowship Auction
Announcements:
Chili Cook-Off Results
Thank you to all who participated. The winners were:
Chili category:
1) Middle of the Road Chili–Jane Wood
2) Turkey Chili–Heather Cooper
3) White Bean Chili–Theresa Eckard
Soup category:
1) Potato Soup–Reba Kline
2) Lasagna Soup–Tess Southerly
3) Chicken Tortilla Soup–Kay Jordan
The overall highest score went to Reba Kline for her potato soup! Thank you all for participating!
Beaver Creek Cares
Beaver Creek Cares is a few weeks away! Right now, the plan is to gather Friday evening for a meal at the campfire, a Vespers service, and then shop for Operation Christmas Child. On Saturday, we will gather to assemble the shoe boxes, put together a little gift for teachers, organize the items for strength in peers, and pick up trash. There will be NO bingo this year, unfortunately, due to the current COVID outbreak at White Birch.
For the care packages for teachers, we need donations of Ziploc sandwich bags and individually wrapped candies (especially chocolate-free).
For Strength in Peers, we are collecting the following items: breakfast bars, non-perishable food items (nabs, etc.) that can be eaten on the road; bottled water; disposable rain ponchos, shampoo/conditioner, feminine hygiene products, lotion or sunscreen, Tylenol or Advil, cough drops, shaving cream & disposable razors, hand sanitizer, band-aids or small first aid kits, can openers, hats, gloves, coats, sleeping bags/blankets, slightly used backpacks, flashlights, batteries, toothbrushes and toothpaste, socks (men’s & women’s sizes).
You can drop it off either in the narthex of the church, but please label it as either for teachers or Strength in Peers. If you would prefer to do a cash donation, give it to Winnie or Diane.
Question & Answer Sessions
The Sunday School hour will be set aside on Sunday, October 31 to answer questions relating to current events and the state of the discernment process as a church. An additional session will be held after Beaver Creek Cares on Saturday, November 6 (time TBD).
If you cannot make a question and answer session, but you do have a question needing answered, you can reach out to Pastor Ryan, Ann Healy, or anyone on the Leadership Team.
Care for Members
As you know, many of our members have come down with COVID. Several have expressed a desire to help. Please connect with Joe LaPrade and Men’s Fellowship.
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 stories. 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).
Call to Prayer & Discernment
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
In addition, if you have questions and would like answers for clarification, please reach out to the office, Ann Healy, or Pastor Ryan. The Leadership Team will inform the congregation of the entire process in this season of discernment despite the rumors spreading in the community. But if you do have a question, please reach out!
Book Study during Sunday School–all who do not have a class are welcome to attend!
The Fidelis Class has begun a new book study for Sunday School called Altar Ego by Craig Groeschel. If you are not actively involved in a Sunday School class, you are invited to participate in this book study!
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 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)
Norman Clark (COVID)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
John Fix (addiction)
Janet Good (health)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Heath Kimmell (health)
Gene LaPrade (health)
Larry LaPrade (COVID)
Lent family (work)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Alda Miller (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Forest & Marlene Miller (COVID)
Mary G Miller (health)
Marty Moore (recovery)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Lottie Ritchie (health)
Victor Samalot (health)
Chris Shirk (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Stan Suter (health)
Owen Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek COB