Author: Karen Cross

Bethel AME Church
Monthly Newsletter

February 2012

From the Pastor’s Pen …..

Volume 1, Issue 2

Sunday, 02/05/12

As we approach the month of February, the month of love and remembering our African American history and the founding father of the AME denomination, Richard Allen; I trust you are experiencing the love of God in your daily walk and living in His perfect peace.
For me, this is the best time of the year, because there is love in the air. It's Valentine’s Day this month, and I along with all the other love birds across this great nation will get the additional opportunity to express our love and appreciation to our loved ones.
Generally speaking, being a Christian comes with certain expectations, and one of them is that we love God first, and then love others, as we love ourselves, especially, our mates. We are reminded in Scripture, that the first and greatest commandment from God is to love Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls. However, it's important to remember that He first loved us when we were dead in our trespasses and sins.
There is a sweet satisfying companionship with the Lord that every believer craves and needs to advance through this life. The scriptures reveal that the secret of possessing this precious companionship is in receiving God’s love and returning his love. Husband and wives, of course, do this to varying degrees, but with God, receiving His love is special because His loves empowers us to overcome our shortcomings and confronts our selfishness.
God's captivating love for humankind should inspire us to live a forgiving and loving life. This remarkable love lets us know that our salvation has been validated and vindicated. As Christians, we never should agonize about the future because we know that our future is secured in Christ.
Love will keep us together!
Partners in Ministry,
Pastor Charlie
Weekly Fellowship
Wednesdays—6:00 PM
Prayer & Bible Study
Thursdays—11:00 AM
Prayer & Bible Study

IMPORTANT DATES

Month of February 2012
02/03/12– 02/04/12 - “Siberian Smoke-out”
02/05/12 - Pizza with Pastor & First Lady
02/07/12 - 5:00 Trustee Board Meeting
- 6:15 Steward Board Meeting
02/10/12 - 7:00 IL Conference WMS Worship Service
02/11/12 - 10:00 IL Conf. WMS Executive Board Workshops
02/14/12 - 6:00 Official Board Meeting
02/18/12 - Bethel Birthday Bash (Time To Be Determined)
02/22/12 - 6:00 Repentance & Renewal Worship Service
02/26/12 - 4:00 Founder’s Day at St. Paul, Springfield
02/29/12 - 6:00 Repentance & Renewal Worship Service

Inside this issue:

From the Pastor’s Pen	1
Church Calendar	1
Congratulations / Randy Burnside	1
Bible Study / Overview	2
Living Legends - / Sandra McKinley	2
Social Media / Addresses	2
Invitation to Bible Study	2

Congratulations to Brother Randy Burnside for taking the lead in coordinating this year’s fabulous “Siberian Smoke-out”.
God’s nature made this event unusually comfortable and inviting.
A hearty AMEN to all members and friends that made this “fun raiser” both profitable and pleasing to taste!
What an enjoyable outreach to our community.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Bethel AME Church
316 East Jackson Street
Carbondale, IL 62901
Church: (618) 529-5278
Parsonage: (618) 490-1457

Rev. Charlie Cross, Pastor
Rev. Karen Cross, Associate Minister
Rev. Archibald Mosley, Superannuate
***************************************
Web Site:
http://bethelame62901.weebly.com
Twitter:
Bethel AME in Cdale
Facebook:
Bethel AME Church Carbondale, IL
Thank you Dr. Stacia Robertson for designing and maintaining our social media!!!

NEW MINISTRY
AT BETHEL!!
Bethel’s newest ministry is calling all Living Legends (ages 70 +). This seniors ministry will be facilitated by Sister Sandra McKinley.
The purpose of this ministry:
*To acknowledge and represent the over-all senior membership within our congregation.
*To highlight the spiritual commitment & Christian maturity of our senior members.
*To intentionally acknowledge & address the concerns of our senior members.
*To cover the congregation & community with regularly scheduled prayer.
*To organize social activities & field trips.
*To galvanize & increase senior fellowship.
*To promote Senior bible studies.
*To promote Christian unity & love.

Bible Study:
For the new year, our Bible study was centered on the subject of worship. We did a line-by-line examination and evaluation of our worship guide from the doxology
to the benediction, to see if it was biblically supported by Scripture and centered on the presence of God in our midst.
We took a close look at the two distinguishing elements that are present in all AME liturgy: the Call to Worship and the Decalogue. We learned that our entire worship service is designed to express our love to God, his Word, and his church.
Worship celebrates our relationship with God. It is a weekly opportunity to exalt God with our praise, to honor him with our prayers, to celebrate him through song, and to learn about his Word through the powerful process of preaching.
Take-home points:
Worship requires two things from us: our undivided attention and a good attitude.
We learned that worship is being in the presence of God.
We learned not to allow anything or anyone to distract us from worshipping God.
We learned we must worship God in Spirit & Truth (heart & emotions) (mind & intellect).
We learned the eight elements of worship.
We learned that worship is (work, warfare, & witnessing).
Please make plans to join us this month as we embark on doing a Book Survey of the entire Bible.