25 October 2007

 

Life Line

 

Before the church’s pastor gave his sermon, he briefly introduced a special guest who was in attendance that day.  In the introduction, the Pastor told the congregation that this man was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate.  With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak.

 

“A father, his son and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast,” he began, “when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore.  The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean and the boat capsized.”

 

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the worship service began, looking somewhat interested.  The aged pastor continued:  “Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy he would first throw the other end of the life line.  He only had seconds to make the decision.  The father knew that his son was a follower of Jesus and he also knew that his son’s friend was not.  The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.”

 

“As the father yelled out, ‘I love you, son!’ he threw the life line to his son’s friend.  By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of night.  His body was never recovered.”

 

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old man’s mouth.  “The father,” he continued, “knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus.  He could not bear the thought of his son’s friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus.  Therefore, he risked losing his son to save his son’s friend.”

 

“How great is the love of God that he should do the same for us.  Our heavenly Father sacrificed his only-begotten Son that we might be saved.”  With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.

 

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man’s side.  “That was a nice story,” politely stated one of the boys, “but I don’t think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son’s life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian.”

 

“Well, you’ve got a point there,” the old man replied.  Then, as a big smile broadened his narrow face, he once again looked up at the boys and said, “It sure isn’t very realistic, is it?  But I’m standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up his Son for me.  You see—I was that father and your pastor is my son’s friend.”

 

Internet via Liz Wilson

 

 

Around Beloved…There is no Christian Formation this Sunday because of the public school fall break holiday weekend.

 

 

Mark your calendars for December 1!  Come to A Beloved Evening with Friends and Family.  Relax over dessert and beverages in a cabaret atmosphere.  Laugh with your sisters and brothers in Christ.  Be moved and inspired by the Beloved Band and the theatrical talents our special guests—Friends of the Groom—a professional theater company from Cincinnati, Ohio dedicated to communicating the Christian message to adults and children in unexpected, entertaining and challenging ways.  Celebrate our blessings and hear where Beloved is going in the future.  With such a mission focus, it is important that you are there! 

 

Though not all our active congregation is present in worship each Sunday, we hope to see up to two hundred adults and children present for this special night!  Of course, friends are welcome as well and free childcare will be offered for those children under 6 who might prove distracting to others. 

 

Here are the details: Saturday, December 1^st from 7-8:30pm @ Providence Presbyterian Church.  For more information, speak to Ben Copeland, Craig Doyon, Harris High, Tony Hodgson, Dick Reif or Fr. Derek.  Don’t miss the inaugural offering of what we expect to become one of Beloved’s annual highlights of the year!  Reserve your spot today!!  

 

Before the Friends of the Groom perform at our Saturday, December 1^st Beloved Evening with Family and Friends, they will offer a drama workshop from 2-4pm for the Charlotte community called Beyond Bathrobes: Drama and Storytelling for the Church.  This is a workshop for any adult or youth who likes, or thinks they would like, to express their faith creatively.  Those who come will be invited to participate in a variety of drama and storytelling activities, including five ways to perform a story in worship and creative uses of drama in worship.  Pre-register by clicking here.

 

Friends of the Groom is a professional theater company dedicated to communicating the Christian message in an entertaining and challenging format. The inter-denominational group is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and normally travels in teams of two or three. Since 1980, they have performed plays, led retreat weekends, and conducted workshops in thousands of locations from Anchorage to Canterbury.

 

 

 

All Saints Sunday (November 4) will be here in two weeks.  During this service, we remember those who have died and gone to God’s heavenly feast since last year’s All Saints celebration.  At Church of the Beloved, we parade into worship with banners bearing our loved ones’ names, reminding us that they are “Christ’s Own Forever.”  The church provides the banner, while family members prepare the letters of their beloved one’s name to go on the banner.  If you have had a relative die this year, please contact the Development Office today so that you can learn how to prepare your banner for this special day.  Instructions will be sent via email following the October 25^th deadline.

 

 

Simon Evening of Giving is at SouthPark Mall on Sunday, November 18^th.  For every $10 ticket to this event we sell, our church keeps $7.  The remaining $3 will go to the Simon Youth Foundation, which provides support and resources for at-risk children.  Packets containing tickets and additional details for this event continue to be available to COB participants after worship or by clicking here.

 

 

On Sunday, December 9 following Worship and Christian Formation, Beloved’s Fellowship Team will host a Brunch followed by a Christmas Workshop and Cakewalk.  The focus of the Christmas workshop will be small handmade items that children may want to buy for their parents, siblings, or perhaps teachers.  There will also be simple gift-wrapping available for their purchases.  If you would like to help in the preparation of food for that day, please contact Mary Reid (704.540.3057) or Janie Wooten (704.321.2466).  If you would like to assist the team that is making simple gifts (no special training or talents needed!) please contact Anna Moore here.  If you would be willing to donate baked goods for the cakewalk, please contact Betsy Fox here.  Sign up sheets can also be found in the hospitality area following worship.  All proceeds of the brunch, Christmas Workshop, and the cakewalk will go towards the Building Fund.  Look for more details to follow.

 

 

Beloved eNews publishes each Thursday.  News and calendar information should be submitted via email by the Monday preceding the publication date.

 

 

October 21…Attendance: 129; Worship Offering: $3490.  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 October 28…2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18 & Luke 18:9-14

 

Serving at God’s Altar on October 28…Complete setup/complete teardown: Angel Army Team #2; Acolytes: Trinity Atwood, Cecilia Atwood, Daniel Dygowski, Jackson Widener; Offering Basket Passers: Elizabeth Davisball, Allie Seidel, Gracie Seidel, Sarah Shaughnessy; Offering Tellers: Liz Wilson (head) & Bud Moore; Presenters: Matt and Catherine Leblanc; Altar Bread Baker: Janis Conlon; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Mary Reid & Frank Reid; PowerPoint: Elizabeth Nichols & Paige Wilson; Reader: Scott Sanniota.

 

 

 

 

In our Prayers…click here

Upcoming Calendar…click here