8 May 2008

A Living Faith

As Clifford and I continue to seek Jesus’ guidance for our Beloved community, we have asked the Staff, Advisory Team and Leadership Design Team to join us in reading The Living Church, the newest book by John Stott (a renowned Anglican priest who is a leader in the evangelical movement worldwide).  I commend the book to each of you as a wonderful (short and easy) summer read.

 

In 1938, as a result of hearing Jesus’ words from Revelation 3:20 in a sermon—“Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and feast with him”—John Stott came into a living faith in Jesus Christ.  He puts it this way: “Intellectually speaking, I had believed in Jesus all my life, on the other side of the door.  I had regularly struggled to say my prayers through the key-hole.  I had even pushed pennies under the door in a vain attempt to pacify him.  I had been baptized, yes and confirmed as well.  I went to church, read my Bible, had high ideals, and tried to be good and do good.  But all the time, often without realising it, I was holding Christ at arm's length, and keeping him outside.  I knew that to open the door might have momentous consequences.  I am profoundly grateful to him for enabling me to open the door. Looking back now over more than fifty years, I realise that that simple step has changed the entire direction, course and quality of my life."

 

Here are some quotable quotes from Stott’s fifty years of teaching:

 

If you find it hard to believe in God, I strongly advise you to begin your search not with philosophical questions about the existence and being of God, but with Jesus of Nazareth.  If you read again the story of Jesus, and read it as an honest and humble seeker, Jesus Christ is able to reveal himself to you, and thus make God…real to you.  -I Believe in God

 

The Christian life is not just our own private affair.  If we have been born again into God’s family, not only has he become our Father but every other Christian believer in the world, whatever his nation or denomination, has become our brother or sister in Christ.  But it is no good supposing that membership of the universal Church of Christ is enough; we must belong to some local branch of it.  Every Christian’s place is in a local church…sharing in its worship, its fellowship, and its witness.  -Basic Christianity

 

God’s Word is designed to make us Christians, not scientists, and to lead us to eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.  It was not God’s intention to reveal in Scripture what human beings could discover by their own investigations and experiments.  -Christian Basics

 

The modern world detests authority but worships relevance.  Our conviction is that the Bible has both authority and relevance…and that the secret of both is Jesus Christ.  -Culture and the Bible

 

Proselytism and evangelism are not the same thing.  To proselytize is to convert somebody else to our opinions and culture, and to squeeze him into our mould; to evangelize is to proclaim God’s Good News about Jesus Christ to the end that people will believe in him, find life in him and ultimately be conformed to his image, not ours.  The motive behind proselytism is concern for the spread of our own little empire; the motive behind evangelism is concern for the true welfare of all and thereby for the name, kingdom, will and glory of God.  - Christ the Controversialist

 

The Gospel is good news of mercy to the undeserving.  The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales...Social responsibility becomes an aspect not of Christian mission only, but also of Christian conversion.  It is impossible to be truly converted to God without being thereby converted to our neighbor. 

                                                       -Christian Mission in the Modern World

You won’t regret getting a copy of The Living Church.  (The recent edition of Episcopal Life gave it a positive review.)  Happy reading!

 

J. Derek Harbin, priest

 

Around Beloved…This Sunday, on the Feast of Pentecost, Zachary Simpson (age 8 years) and Gianna McCloud (age 7 months) will become our newest brother and sister in Christ through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.  If you’ve never seen a baptism in our large immersion font, this is an occasion not to miss.  We will also recognize those who participated in the FaithQuest Reconciliation Retreat the day before.  A festive reception will follow.  Don’t miss this spectacular and Spirit-filled end to our Eastertide Celebration!   

 

 

Community House Middle School is in need of Proctors for the North Carolina End of Grade (EOG) Tests on May 19, 20, 21 & 22, from 8:30am until about 12:30pm at the latest each day.  Wisdom from those who assisted last year is that this is a wonderful ministry for introverts who don’t mind being in a quiet room for three to four hours.  Can you help?  The need is desperate.  For more information or to volunteer, click here.  Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

 

 

On Thursday, May 22, Thompson Child Development Center (a department of an agency that the Episcopal Churches in Charlotte began as an orphanage over a century ago) will be hosing its Spring Fling Carnival in NoDa next to the Johnston YMCA.  They need volunteers to help with dinner, carnival games and clean up from either 3:30-5:30pm or 5-7 p.m.  This is a great opportunity for members of the Beloved community—teens, parents and children over 10—to have fun and work together for a good cause.  Interested?  Contact Rachel Eldridge here or at 704-644-4403.  Jesus said, “Let me tell you why you are here.  You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.” (Matthew 5:13)

 

 

The MOB (Men of Beloved), along with some teens, had a very enjoyable time serving supper to the guests of the Charlotte Rescue Mission on Friday, May 2.  This Saturday, May 10 they plan to tour a local brewery on South Boulevard…an adventure that promises to be an eye-opener for those who have never observed how this oldest of libations is made.  This promises to be a good chance to become better acquainted, to invite friends, to meet other guys at Beloved…the more, the merrier!  As desired, we can carpool and arrange for designated drivers.  Please respond to this invitation ASAP if you haven’t already!

 

 

 

 

Women, Beloved’s Katie Shaughnessy recently asked, “why not something for the women?”  So….not to be outdone by the MOB, please be watching for your personal invitation to be part of the creation of WWOB (Wild Women of Beloved).  We will gather for the first time either for coffee at 10:30am or dessert at 7:30pm on Thursday, 29 May at the home of the Harbin Family (childcare will be provided if necessary).  No wrestling skills required!  But do bring your playful hearts.

 

 

Anyone interested in participating in a monthly playgroup for preschool age children? Join in the fun with your children, get to know some new Beloved friends and even invite someone who has a child but no church home.  Playtime will be at homes, area parks and any other fun, family friendly places we can think of! Please contact Marie Duty if interested.

 

 

Constant Contact will soon deliver Beloved eNews to your computer’s email inbox, resulting in more reliable service and substantial cost savings for Beloved.  Though we have been promised a smooth transition, last week’s eNews delivery problem reminds us that technical transitions are not always as effortless as we desire.  Let us know if for some reason you don’t receive eNews in the next few weeks and we will track down the problem!  Remember also that each edition of eNews is posted on the Beloved website under eNews Update. 

 

 

The next edition of Beloved eNews will publish on May 15^th.  News and calendar information should be submitted via email by Monday, May 12^th.

 

Ascension day, May 1…Attendance: 47; Worship Offering: $823.  May 4…Attendance: 85; Worship Offering: $1,744.  Income needed for ministry each week: $5,500.  The financial goal of Church of the Beloved is to reach self-sufficiency (i.e. pay all of Beloved’s expenses) by 12/31/2008.

 

Scripture Readings for May 11…Acts 2:1-21 & John 20:19-23

 

 

Serving at God’s Altar on May 11…Setup/teardown: Angel Army Team #5; Acolyte: Victoria Floyd; Offering Basket Passers: Clare Anton, Olivia Anton, Daniel Anton, Clare Harbin; Presenters: Beloved Godparents for Gianna and Zachary; Altar Bread Baker: Shari Wynn; Lay Eucharistic Minister: Brent Brower; PowerPoint: Elizabeth Nichols; Reader: Joseph Nichols

 

 

In our Prayers…click here

Upcoming Calendar…click here