RECAP: WHAT IS BETTER based on Luke 10:38-42
If we have grown up in church, we have heard the story of Mary and Martha many times. It is rather popular in Sunday School, Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School, and materials for camp. Yet, even though we are very familiar with the story, we often miss the heart of the story. Both Martha and Mary had the honor of having Jesus in their home; yet, one of the sisters was satisfied, while the other ended the evening frustrated. If we are honest, at times, we live in a state of frustration and do not enjoy the very presence of God. What keeps us from enjoying God’s presence? What can we learn from Mary and Martha?
1) Sit at the Lord’s feet (10:39). Hospitality laws required both sisters to work on the meal preparations for the guests and complete all service before sitting and enjoying the guests. Yet Mary chose to ignore the laws of hospitality and planted herself at the feet of Jesus. She chose to sit, not stand or walk by, but purposefully anchor and position herself to engage Jesus. Are we willing to sit at Jesus’ feet? How much of Jesus do we really want? Jesus will give us exactly how much we want of him. If we want just a little bit, we will have a knowledge of Jesus, but that’s it. What Jesus wants from us is a relationship, to know him, to sit at his feet.
2) Listen to Jesus’ words (10:39). Not only did Mary position herself at Jesus’ feet, but was listening intently to every word that came from his mouth. She tuned out all other noises and voices, including her sister’s calls, because Jesus was most important. We all have many voices speaking to us at the same time. Which voice do we tune our ears to? What we value most is what we will listen to at the end of the day. Can we drown out all other voices and just listen to Jesus?
3) Set aside distractions (10:40). Martha invited Jesus to her home so she could spend time with the Messiah. Instead, she became distracted by all that she had to do and could not enjoy his presence. Satan knows what will distract us. Sometimes distractions can be things that are good within themselves! But if it takes us away from spending time with God, then it is a distraction and needs to be removed. The more distracted we are, the more we veer off the path and end up going in a direction we never intended to go. Satan does not need to attack us; he simply desires to get our eyes off the one who is most important and focused on something else.
4) Set aside offense (10:40). When Martha finally spoke to Jesus, it came from a spirit of offense. She was so angry with her sister that she asked her gracious Savior to become the judge instead! We close our ears and hearts to God’s words and truth when we become offended. We find ourselves in a place of catastrophe, pushing away any and all voices that love us and are trying to help us draw near to God. The place of offense reveals the area where we need most to surrender to God.
5) Set aside worry (10:41). Martha was worried about how Jesus would view her. She tried to control her world so she could not enjoy the One who controls the universe! Worry takes our eyes away from trust in God and places matters into our own hands. We need to let it go!
6) Choose the right priority (10:42). Mary chose what was better–spending time with Jesus. What do we choose at the end of the day? Are we daily saying yes to God and his way?
Questions for Reflection
1) How much of Jesus do you want in your life?
2) What voices do you find difficult to silence? What competing messages make it difficult to follow Jesus wholly?
3) What is your biggest distraction? Where do you need to guard yourself against the enemy?
4) Are you carrying offense toward someone? Can you let it go?
5) What causes you to worry? Can you lay it in God’s hands?
6) If someone on the outside observed your life–your activity, speech, finances, phones, etc.–what would they say is your greatest priority? What changes can you make to grow Christ as your highest aim?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the sermon series on the spiritual discipline of simplicity with the sermon titled, “What is Your Treasure?” based on Matthew 6:19-24. What do we value most? How does that impact living out our faith? Come or tune in on Sunday to find out.
Daily Bible Readings for November 14 – 20
November 14: Psalm 30 Why was David thankful?
November 15: Psalm 34 Why was David thankful?
November 16: Psalm 37:25-40 Why was David thankful?
November 17: Psalm 40 Why was David thankful?
November 18: Psalm 47 Why was the Psalmist thankful?
November 19: Matthew 13:1-9 How does the parable speak to priorities?
November 20: Matthew 13:10-23 How does the parable’s explanation speak to priorities?
This Week’s Events:
TODAY–Pastor Ryan out of office (in Virginia Beach)
Wednesday, November 15–Ministry Team @ Winnie’s, 7 pm
Sunday, November 19–Children’s church
Sunday, November 19–Stewardship Sunday
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, November 26–Hanging of the Greens
Saturday, December 2–Women’s Fellowship Christmas Auction @ 7 pm; Food @ 5:30 pm
Sunday, December 3–Christmas Carols & Message @ White Birch, 1:30 pm
Sunday, December 10–Christmas Caroling after church; soup/sandwich carry-in
Sunday, December 10–Church pizza and movie night, 5 pm
Sunday, December 24–Christmas Eve @ 11 pm
Announcements:
Simplicity– Spiritual Discipline Challenge
This month’s spiritual discipline is simplicity. Simplicity arises from minimizing any and all distractions that keep us from focusing on God.
Last week, you should have written down a daily list of events and the approximate time you spent on each one. This week’s task: next to each item you listed, write down all reasons why you spend time in that area. The goal of this week is to call our attention to our motives for why we do what we do. We will continue to build on this next week.
LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING POSTPONED
There will be no Leadership Team Meeting on Thursday.
Stewardship Sunday
This Sunday, November 19, is Stewardship Sunday. Please fill out your pledge cards for 2024 and bring them to be dedicated.
BIRTHDAYS NEEDED!
If you are a newer attendee at Beaver Creek, please call the office with your birthday or leave a note in the offering plate. We don’t want to miss anyone.
Hanging of the Greens
We will have our seasonal Hanging of the Greens service on Sunday, November 26. Please bring:
–an ornament for the ornament exchange
–a finger food/dessert for the carry-in meal after church
–gloves, scarves, and mittens for the Mitten Tree
–money you would spend on sending Christmas Cards (for the Salvation Army)
–A Christmas Card for the whole church
–start collecting the perishables(reverse Advent) for the Stokesville Food Pantry
Social Media
Beaver Creek has updated its social media page. Please follow and share so many people can see what is happening at Beaver Creek! You can find the pages as follows:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beavercreekchurchva/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaverCreekChurchVA/
Backpacks
Misti has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board to assist with the backpacks. If you are willing to help, please sign up this week!
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
We are in need of both worship leaders and children’s storytellers. Contact Alice Over, Phyllis Simmons (worship leading), or Joscelin Cooper (children’s story) if you want to serve.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH & NURSERY
Children’s Church WILL meet this week on Sunday, November 19. Please bring a jacket!
Nursery
The Christian Education Team is looking for six to eight volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School and church hours. 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. We have had several expressions of interest and are trying to find the best package for us as a church body. If you want 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 to 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) Place 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
Keep Evy Kaye’s friend Mary Beth and Tami Plaugher’s friend Vicki as they both are wrestling with cancer.
Baby Thomas (recovery)
Eddie Baker (health)
Terri Burkholder (health)
Norma Cunningham (recovery)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Bob Hess (health)
Darlene LaPrade (health)
Christy Lazer (emergency surgery)
Ruth Luce (health)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Norlen Miller (hospital)
Mary G Miller (health)
Mary M Miller (recovery)
Savannah Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Shelby Simmons (foot)
Roger Simmons (recovery)
Crystal Smith (health)
Norma Suter (recovery)
Kenny Wheelbarger (recovery from injury)
Whitmore family (house)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Cindy Wittig (health)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church