17 April 2008

 Beloved’s Advisory Team begins each of its meetings with Bible Study and reflection.  At our gathering this week, we wrestled with these words of scripture as we seek to balance the priority of leadership in the Beloved community with God’s call on our individual lives. 

 

 Our ministry as leaders will not be effective if our priorities as Christians are out of order.  As the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Romans, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is…his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)  What should our personal priorities be as we seek to undertake this important ministry?

1^st

Relationship with God

& activities that nourish that relationship (including time for spiritual reflection)

 

• Jesus said, “Seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)
• Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)

 

 

 

What am I doing to nourish my relationship with God in Christ Jesus?  God has encouraged us to maintain healthy bodies (his temple) and live moral lives; how do I do this in our frenetic, fast-paced world?

 

 

2^nd

Relationship with Family

Spouse first, then Children (and extended family)

 

• Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
• “Go all out in your love for your spouse, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting.” (Ephesians 5:25)

If you are married, your spouse is the most important neighbor you have. You are in (a spiritual and legal) covenant with your spouse.  As sacramental Christians, we vowed to love and “honor” our spouses, as a partner in all aspects of our lives.  Are observers able to see through my words and actions this priority?

 

• “Do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
• “Discipline your child in his early years while there is hope. If you don't you will ruin her life” (Proverbs 19:18)

After our spouse, any children we have are the next most important neighbors we have.  They are our responsibility and our reward. They need our love.  They need training in God’s truth.  Training takes time and persistence.  Do I show through my actions and giving of time that she/he/they is/are a priority?  Can observers tell that God is a priority in my minor children’s lives through their behavior and choices?

 

3^rd

Living in the Body of Christ

& Ministry on behalf of members of the Body

 

• Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
• “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
• “The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
• “See how they love each other” (Pagans comments about the Church recorded by Tertullian in the third century)

We are to be an active participant in a fellowship of learning, evangelizing, caring and worshipping Christians that strengthens our faith and empowers us to be salt and light for the world. The Christian life is not to be walked alone.  How can I balance my specific calling to this leadership ministry in our congregation with my higher priorities to God and my spouse and family?   

 

4^th

Salt and Light to the World

My Evangelistic Life in the wider Charlotte community

 

• Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
• “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (Ephesians 4:11)
• Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.  You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Work is an important part of human existence.  Through our creativity, we reflect the nature of God and provide sustenance for ourselves and our families.  Do I use my work as an opportunity to be salt and light in the world?  If not, how could I begin?  If so, how might I become even more effective?

 

 

J. Derek Harbin, priest

 

 

 

Around Beloved…The next Gathering of the MOB (Men of Beloved) will be April 23 from 7-9pm at Carolina Bistro (US 521; 9789 Charlotte Highway, Fort Mill).  We will meet for a light meal and conversation, followed by some pool, for those who are interested.  Bring a friend and come join us!  Please contact David Cash by Sunday so that enough table space can be reserved.  Next month we will tour a local brewery, The Carolina Beer & Beverage Co., in Mooresville, on Saturday, May 10, that promises to be an eye-opener for those who have never observed how this oldest of libations is made.  This is a particularly good opportunity for the MOB, plus friends, to get together and enjoy the company of each other.  What we need to know is how many are interested so that we can arrange a group tour. This will have some advantage over the normal public tour, in that we can arrange for a tour time to best suit our needs.  This promises to be a good chance to become better acquainted, to invite friends, to meet other guys at Beloved…the more, the merrier!  To repeat, please feel free to invite a friend who may or may not be familiar with Church of the Beloved.  As desired, we can car-pool and arrange for designated drivers.  Please respond to this invitation by May 2.

 

 

Beloved’s Ascension Day Worship Celebration will be held on Thursday, May 1^st at 7pm to be followed by a “Death by Chocolate” reception.  Please sign up for the chocolate dessert you will bring in the Hospitality area here or after worship the next two Sundays.  If you have the time and ability to participate on a Volunteer Angel Army Team (for 5:30pm set up and tear down afterwards), please click here.

 

 

Tennis anyone?  The Cash and the Shaughnessy households are planning a Tennis Social event for Church of Beloved adults who are interested in gathering together for some social tennis, some light refreshment and some fellowship.  It will be a “mixer,” that is non-competitive, and will be open to people at all skill levels. Tennis is optional, of course, for those who prefer to socialize.  We have reserved two tennis courts at Hunter Oaks on Saturday, June 7, and will gather from 10:00 to 12:30.  The courts have an adjacent playground for young children, so that parents can play tennis while their children are being watched.  Tennis players need bring only a racquet and have proper shoes.  RSVP!  Please let us know if you expect to attend, how many in your household will attend and how many are interested in tennis, so that we can complete our plans and prepare a schedule.  For those with interest, please contact here by May 24.

 

 

The next edition of Beloved eNews will publish on April 24^th.  News and calendar information should be submitted via email by Monday, April 21^st.

 

April 6…Attendance: 94, Worship Offering: $3,916.  April 13…Attendance: 75, Worship Offering: $1,480.  Income needed for ministry each week: $5,500 (fully funded) à $4,400 (requiring other funding sources i.e. fundraising events).  The financial goal of Church of the Beloved is to reach self-sufficiency (i.e. pay all expenses without income from outside sources) by 12/31/2008.

 

 

Scripture Readings for April 20…1 Peter 2:2-10 & John 14:1-14

 

Serving at God’s Altar on April 20…Setup/teardown: Angel Army Team #2; Acolytes: Elizabeth Nichols, Lauren Widener, Jackson Widener, Paige Wilson; Offering Basket Passers: Elizabeth Davis-Ball, Allie Seidel, Grace Seidel, Zachary Simpson; Presenters: The Shaughnessy Family; Altar Bread Baker: Kris Leinenkugel; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Brian McCarthy & Penny Crawford; PowerPoint: Paige Wilson; Reader: Cecilia Atwood

 

 

In our Prayers…click here

 

Upcoming Calendar…click here