THE GOOD NEWS BULLETIN

OF

WELLSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

JUNE 2013 EDITION

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What is the church? Why is the church here? What form did the early church take? Why does it matter?

What is the church? The church belongs to God. (1 Tim 3:15). In Matthew 16:18,

Jesus promised to build His Church; hence it is also known as the body of Christ (Eph 1:23; Col 1:24). He is the foundation-stone for what we call the church today. (1 Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4-5)

Not only is He the foundation-stone, but Jesus Christ is also the head of the church (Eph 1:22; 5-23) and the church is loved by Him (Song 7:10; Eph 5:25). It was purchased with His blood (Acts 2:28; Eph 5:25; Heb 9:12). Since these things are true, then the church is subject to Christ (Rom 7:4; Eph 5:24) and unity is expected (Rom 12:5; 1 Cor 10:17; 12:12; Gal 3:28). Since the church belongs to Jesus and not to us, any defiling of it will be punished. (1 Cor 3:17)

Why is the church here? The church is here to do God’s business. Jesus told the disciples that they were to be His witnesses (Acts, Chapter 1). He also commanded the church to make disciples (Matthew 28:16-20). This is because He was here to bring peace between people and God and we are to continue in this ministry. What is a disciple? A disciple is one that follows Jesus; not one who merely says he follows Jesus (John 14; 1 John 2; James 2 are three places that make this clear). We make disciples as we witness and baptize and teach people His commandments.

The early church. The early church met in homes. According to The Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land (3rd ed.) literary evidence (Acts 1:13-14; 2:46) shows that the earliest congregational meetings of the disciples of Jesus, for prayer, the Eucharist and the agape (a love-feast held in connection with the Lord’s supper) took place in private houses. We know from Acts chapter two that the people then met once a week to hear the message of the Apostles. It is interesting that all of the churches that met in homes also studied God’s Word.

Why does it matter? It matters because Jesus is the One who tells the church what to do! The mission of the church is to reach people who are outside and bring them in! This is done as we care for others and create a climate where others can flourish. Jesus is the Master and He told us to love one another. The bickering and back-biting that the present day church experiences is not conducive to His command to “love one another.” We want the Master to be proud when He looks at His church today!

How do we avoid the negative that is around us? 1. Realize that we have gifts that differ for the building up of the body of Christ! The gift of gossip is not a

gift from God and we must get away from those who gossip! (Romans 1:29) 2. Realize that those who grumble and complain cannot be in God’s will since we are told to do everything

without grumbling and complaining! I Corinthians 10:9-12 We must not put Christ to the test as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

3. Stay positive and do the work of the Lord! Whatever God has given us to do we must do with all of our might.

Finally, remember that Satan doesn’t want WBC to succeed! We must not let that stop us! Onward Christian Soldiers!

WELLSVILLE, KANSAS AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCH

SUNDAY SCHOOL PROMOTION

Sunday, June 2, 2013

9:45 a.m. In the sanctuary

We will have Sunday School Promotion on Sunday, June 2nd at the beginning of our Sunday School hour. All classes are asked to meet in the sanctuary for a short program before being dismissed to their classes.

SPECIAL SPEAKER

On Sunday, June 2nd, we are honored to have Bill Nicoson with us during all of our worship services. He has visited us once before and we greatly enjoyed having him with us. Everyone is invited to hear this dynamic speaker.

BAPTISM SERVICE We are planning a baptism services in our sanctuary for Sunday, June 9th. If you would like to participate in this service, contact Pastor Tom as soon as possible. ___________________________________________________

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 24-27, 2013

It’s summer time and you know what that means, VBS!!! We are so excited for this year’s VBS, Kingdom Rock! We can’t wait to Stand Strong during the week of June 17th-21st. Please clear your calendars so you can come help with this awesome VBS. Here are the spots we still need to fill. If you are interested, contact Donna Thomasson or Emily Taylor.

Nursery: Tamara Mosher, _________________

4 year olds: Heather Hanks, Heather Neel, ________________

5 year olds: Jill Robbs, Jenny Robbs, _____________________

Kindergarten: Patricia Johnson, ___________________, ____________________

1st grade: Kari Owings, ________________________

2nd grade: Lynda Swafford, _____________________

3rd grade: __________________________, Jan Bloss

4th/5th grade: Sherry Clark, Bobbie Johnson

Opening/Music/Closing: Wanda Schnoke, ______________________

Kitchen: Barb Wright, Donna Ball

Recreation: Apryl Strawn, ________________, __________________, _____________________

A/V Tech Team ___________________, ____________________, ___________________

Drama: Donna Thomasson, Bob Cramer

Imagination Station: Cadence Ishmael, ___________________, ________________________

Money Counter: ____________________

Chadder’s Theater: ___________________, ____________________

Registration: ______________________, _______________________

Floaters: _______________________, ___________________, ___________________

IDN’T IT GREAT!IDN’T IT GREAT!IDN’T IT GREAT!IDN’T IT GREAT!

Well, another year of school has come and gone. Another class of our kids are ‘bona fide’ graduates and are gazing out on the threshold of their future.

Jeremiah 29:11 declares: “For I know the plans I have for you.” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I have done my best to let these kids know how special they are to God, how much He loves them and that He has special plans and purposes for their lives.

We have only one summer left before most of them leave to begin studying and pursuing the plans they’ve made for the careers they’ve chosen. One summer to play, to have fun, to sing, swim, slip-&-slide, and hot tub!

I also have one summer left to teach them a little bit more about the wonder of walking and working with God, how to lean on Him, talk to Him and learn to trust Him.

I want them to understand that life is a battlefield- but they’re on the winning team! I want them to understand that The Most High God is their refuge and their strength. The Lost of the Hosts of Heaven is their leader. He goes before them; He is their forward and their rear guard. I want them to rest in His promise of protection found in Psalm 91:9-11, If you say,If you say,If you say,If you say, “the LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”

People, pray with me for these young lives. Several have made decisions for Christ, but many more have not. My prayer is this: “O Great God, SAVE MY SAVE MY SAVE MY SAVE MY KIDS.KIDS.KIDS.KIDS. Guide them in their daily endeavors. Cause them to be conscious of Your Presence. Place godly friends and role models in their paths to teach them and point them always to You. I thank You for hedging them in completely around and behind, and for giving Your angels charge over them to protect them in all their ways. Direct them, straighten their paths, open their ears to Your voice and shut their ears to the voice of evil. Keep them fully dressed and ready for battle. Show them how much You love them, keep them always ready for Your return. Holy Spirit, bring back to their remembrance what they have heard and learned. Remind them that they can always call, text, e-mail or phone home if they want help, advice, prayer or a listening ear. They have Your phone number: Jeremiah 33:3 (GNT) - “Call to Me, and I will answer you; I will tell you wonderful and marvelous things that you know nothing about.”

People, pray for my kids. We must let them go to fulfill His plans and purposes for them, so we must place them firmly in Father’s hands, and really, there’s no safer place. Sincerely,

Pastor Dennis

I Timothy 4:12 (GNT) - Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith and purity.

The Living Word

And this is the promise which he promised us, even the And this is the promise which he promised us, even the And this is the promise which he promised us, even the And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. (I John 2:25) life eternal. (I John 2:25) life eternal. (I John 2:25) life eternal. (I John 2:25)

When you read and think about this idea of eternal life, what comes to mind? If you’re like me, the term everlasting comes into your thinking. A heavenly home after this earthly life is over and the body we live in is all used up. That idea is not all wrong but it is also not really, totally accurate either. Eternal life is a life that never ends and it is more than a quantity of life but a quality of life. What John is speaking of here is something we can experience right now in this life. It is a divine life that we can drawn upon right nownownownow in any given circumstance we find ourselves facing at this moment in our life. It is a power that adds adventure and full enjoyment to our experience no matter what comes our way. When these circumstances come into our experience, they can teach us to draw upon the strength of God’s inner power working in us or we can try to work on it in our own energy and thinking which will only bring frustration, discouragement, and a lack of purpose. What makes the Christian experience exciting is to watch how God orchestrates each part so as to bring about positive results into all the parties involved. Walking with God becomes an adventure where we discover how God is going to bring about change either in me or the people I’m working with. A Christian is someone who is:

Continually Cheerfully Consistently Fearless Consistently in Trouble

When we come into a problem where there just doesn’t seem to be any easy way out, we only have two choices. We can try and handle the problem in our own resources and planning or we can see it as a direct result of God bringing it into our life and submit to Him and ask Him how he expects us to take care of this problem and what does he want me to learn as a result of this conflict.

20202020 God can do anything, you knowGod can do anything, you knowGod can do anything, you knowGod can do anything, you know————far more than far more than far more than far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your you could ever imagine or guess or request in your you could ever imagine or guess or request in your you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but but but but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and by working within us, his Spirit deeply and by working within us, his Spirit deeply and by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.gently within us.gently within us.gently within us. (Ephesians 3:20 MSG)

As I recover from my surgery may I learn anew in As I recover from my surgery may I learn anew in As I recover from my surgery may I learn anew in As I recover from my surgery may I learn anew in my weakness He is made STRONG.my weakness He is made STRONG.my weakness He is made STRONG.my weakness He is made STRONG.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Sharing Brings Joy!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Sharing brings joy to us! Generous giving, practiced as a regular spiritual discipline, teaches us about joy. We learn to see ourselves as vital parts of a cooperative sharing effort which expresses God’s love for the world. We see the delight of recipients and experience our own gladness. Grateful for God’s extravagant gifts, the great happiness of others, and our experience of such delight, we discover we want to be more generous, and so we are drawn into the circular rhythm of sharing that brings joy upon joy.

Sharing brings joy to others! For 64 years, recipients of One Great Hour of Sharing assistance, relief, and support have known comfort and joy through your sharing: • Families displaced by natural disaster or political

unrest rejoice to receive food, shelter and the comfort of a safe place to begin rebuilding their lives;

• A woman who has had to walk miles for potable water for her family smiles as she draws water from a clean well near her home;

• Children arrive excitedly for the first day of class at the village’s new school.

Sharing brings joy to God! We know that God is always in the midst of our joy, but we also know that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Can you imagine God’s joy when we share? Can your mind’s eye see those things that cause rejoicing in the heart of the Divine? Scriptures tell us what brings God joy: steadfast love, justice, and righteousness, says Jeremiah (9:24), and the well-being of God’s people (Psalms 35:27b). Certainly any manifestation of agape love, such as a generous hand outstretched to help others (Matthew 22:37-40), brings gladness to God.

Joy-filled sharing makes possible the well-being of God’s people. Joy-filled sharing shows that our hearts and hands are open—open to giving that fosters restoration of shalom—open to generosity that speaks of God’s love. This is surely a delight to the Holy One! When we see ourselves as part of all God’s children everywhere, we learn to be less fearful of a sense of scarcity that can inhibit our generosity. We come to understand that others who happen to be in need are not simply recipients of our charity, but sisters and brothers with whom we are called to live justly and share abundantly. Knowing we willingly share reminds them of who they are: beloved children of the Creator, family of us all, each one a person of sacred worth, also imbued with possibilities for sharing joy.

We will receive the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering during the month of June. Please prayerfully consider what God would have you do. Offering envelopes are available at the back of the sanctuary or mark your check OGHS. As you make your offering this year, remember the many ways your gifts bring joy—to you as God’s precious child, to all of God’s other cherished children, and especially to the Holy One.

May your worship be joyful. May your sharing be delightfully abundant. May God be made glad by your cheerful generosity.

Sunday, June 16, 2013 During our worship services, we will honor our fathers with a small gift. Everyone is invited to attend.

If your birthday or anniversary is not listed below, please call the church office and let us know.

Anniversaries 1-M/M Larry Averill, M/M Jayson Owings, M/M Bill Shields 3-M/M Robert Lawrenz 9-M/M Robert Courter 12-M/M Brad Oshel 14-M/M Mike McAuley, M/M David Johnson 15-M/M Randy Fouts, M/M Bob Cramer, M/M Keith Churchill 17-M/M Jim Rogers 20-M/M Craig Davis 25-M/M Ken Robbs Birthdays 1-Dee Kyle, Lisa Kyle 6-Pam Sharp 8-Nadine Gale 9-Libbi Fouts, Cheryl Christian 11-Denise Lowe 12-Peyton Young 14-Brian Dunaway 15-Seth Breithaupt 16-Bob Moss, Bill Shields 19-Erin Smith, Christie Haigh, Nolan Bubeck 20-Nancy Buckley 24-Eddie Winslow, Jim Campbell, Mandy Swafford 28-Jim Rogers 30-Emily Taylor

Please Pray for …..

Lenny Burbank – undergoing brain procedures Leon Johnson – health concerns (seizures) Ted Buckley – at home, recovering from knee

replacement surgery Edna Wyatt – health concerns Anita McDaniel – health concerns Reva Alumbaugh –health concerns Tom O’Dea – health concerns Robert Duvall – health concerns Mike Moss – health concerns Lynneda Martin – Lesley Breithaupt’s sister – ovarian

cancer Linda Rothers – Lesley Breithaupt’s mother – health

concerns John Nielsen – Dee Kyle’s friend – health concerns Gladys Clark – Vesta Burbank’s sister – health concerns AJ Turner – brain tumor Roy Yaw – Nancy Lytle’s brother-in-

law – needs a liver transplant Curtis Bremer – health concerns Dena Bremer – needs a kidney

transplant Shannon Young – Bev McAuley’s

daughter – health concerns Jared Rector – Craig & Tammy

Davis’ son-in-law – deployed Larry Lintner – Shirley Lintner’s son – home & doing

well (PRAISE) Carrera Tyson – Schnoke’s daughter-in-law – health

concerns Thelma Miller – Callie Browning’s grandmother –

COPD Gloria Mosebey – Scott Coffman’s co-worker’s wife –

undergoing cancer treatment John Tevis – Bob Moss’ friend – heart problems Brett Campbell – Pat & Jim Campbell’s son – due home

in June Georgia LaRue – Betty LaRue’s family – has cancer Tanner Rogers – Matt & Leslie Rogers’ son- recovering

from surgery

John – Laughlin’s grandson – recovering from a motorcycle accident

Family of Austin Deere – Bartholomew’s nephew – following his passing

Oklahoma tornado victims & families

I AM CONTENT

How grateful I am and how I praise the Lord that you are helping me again. I know you have always been anxious to send what you could, but for a while you did-n’t have the chance. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of content-ment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. Philippians 4:10-13 (The Living Bible)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 7:00 a Men’s Prayer Breakfast

2* 9:45 a Sunday School Promotion in the Sanctuary Bill Nicoson, speaker at all worship services

3 7:00 p 4-H in the Fellowship Hall

4 8:45 a Staff meeting 5** 8:00 p Board of Deacons

6 9:30 a Service at Wellsville Retirement Center

7 8 7:00 a Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 8:00 a Teens leave for Worlds of Fun

9* 8:00 a organ Medi-tations in the sanctu-ary, 10:50 a Baptism service, 1:00 p Fellow-ship Hall rented

10

11 8:45 a Staff meet-ing

12** 13 9:30 a Service at Wellsville Retirement Center, 10:00 a Bingo at Wellsville Retire-ment Center, 7:00 p Rodeo Bible Camp

14 15 7:00 a Men’s Prayer Breakfast

16* Father’s Day 3:00 p Service at Wellsville Retirement Center

17 9:00 a VBS 18 9:00 a VBS 19** 9:00 a VBS 20 9:00 a VBS, 9:30 a Service at Wellsville Retirement Center

219:00 a VBS, 7:00 p Board of Trustees

22 7:00 a Men’s Prayer Breakfast, FC rented

23* 24 25 8:45 a Staff meet-ing

26 27 9:30 a Service at Wellsville Retirement Center

28 29 7:00 a Men’s Prayer Breakfast

30*

June, 2013

*Sunday—Regular Weekly Services — 8:30 a.m. Worship Service, 9:45 a.m. Connect Worship Service; 9:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Bible Study, 10:50 a.m. Morning Worship Service, 5:30 p.m. Youth Group for ages 7th—12th grades; 7:00 P.M. Worship Team Practice. **Wednesday—Regular Weekly Services—9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Good News Bulletin is a monthly newsletter of Wellsville Baptist Church, 217 Main Street, Wellsville, Kansas, 66092. All visitors are welcome to worship with us each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:50 a.m., Sunday School begins at 9:45 a.m. Mid-Week Service is Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Rev. Thomas W. Swafford is the Senior Pastor and Pastor Dennis Kichler is the Interim Youth Pastor. The Good News Bulletin coordinator is Jan Beuthien. The church office phone number is 785-883-2640. The Pastor’s phone number is 785-883-4201 and the Youth Pastor’s phone number is 785-248-3866.

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Wellsville Baptist Church PO Box 555 Wellsville KS 66092 Return Service Requested