Nov16 Broadcaster

November 2016 Issue 1018

What Do Elders Do? On occasion I am asked what elders do by those who are curious about the role of an elder at Bethany.

I believe it is important for you to know the answer to that question. I am privileged to serve alongside a group of amazing, Spirit-filled brothers in Christ who want nothing more than the glory of God to saturate our congregation in every imaginable way. I want you to know that we seek to be unified in a single vision because God has a single vision for His Church and His glory. That’s the vision we aspire to discern each time we meet and pray. It is an unusual blessing from God upon this flock that the men called to be elders serve with humility, esteeming God and God alone, because He alone is worthy.

The Bible has much to say about serving as an elder/pastor/ overseer (used interchangeably in Scripture) and we reflect

by Chris Larson frequently on passages such as 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1 and 1 Peter 5 wherein God describes the qualities and responsibilities of elders in His Church.

The work of the elder team is truly a team effort. I do not believe that any two elders serve alike. Just as the body of believers is made up of many parts each serving a God-ordained purpose (1 Cor. 12:12), so the elder team has many parts, each contributing uniquely to the whole and the effective shepherding of Christ’s Church here at Bethany. No list of “what the elders do” is exhaustive, nor must every elder accomplish every task. God has His reasons to call each of us to serve, and those reasons are unique to each of us.

Here’s a snapshot of some of them: 1. Many of our elders are called to teach. This is a unique requirement for elders—the Continued on page 2.

In This Issue Page 3 MOMents November Calendar Highlights Page 4 Children’s Ministry Page 5 Bridal Showers Discovering Church Membership Hats of Hope 3-on-3 Turkey Tourney PrimeTime Women Helping Women First Prayer College Care Packages Biblical Counseling Conference Page 6 Pro-Life Holiday Fair GO Christmas Offering Operation Christmas Child Page 7 A Community Christmas 2016 Handel’s Messiah at Augustana Page 8 Feast of Thanks

Continued from page 1.

ability to teach and instruct others in the Word of God. This requires, first and foremost, that the elders KNOW the Word of God, spend time in the Word, and correctly discern biblical truth with the Spirit’s leading. Some teach ABCs or Sunday School classes, some teach in small groups, many teach in one-on-one discipleship. The ability to teach is closely linked to the elders’ charge to protect the flock from false teaching, so that those who hear God’s Word taught and preached in our congregation hear only His Truth proclaimed.

2. Many of our elders lead through ministry teams. We have organized the many and various church ministries into teams, each being elder-led. Calling and facilitating meetings is the least significant task, although it is necessary. More importantly, every ministry of the church is bathed in prayer by its elders, while providing elder interaction with those on the front lines of ministry. We believe God has specially gifted our elders for these ministries, and His leading is our aim.

3. Our elders pray. Most of the time our elders gather, it is in prayer. All of our regular meetings open with a deliberately lengthy time of prayer together and in small groups as identified needs and petitions are raised. We receive and pray over every prayer request offered by worshipers who submit requests.

We pray over individuals, couples and families in the church, occasionally anointing with oil as requests for physical, emotional, marital and family healing are requested (James 5:14). In each instance, we are calling upon the One who has Power to do that which only He can do. Our prayer time is sweet as we thank God for allowing us the privilege of intercessory prayer.

4. Our elders serve. We are part of the body. We serve alongside you in whatever tasks are required of the congregation. Sometimes our service is apparent, such as leading church prayers or serving communion. Others are less visible as many private concerns of the flock are personally addressed by elders through counseling and discipleship. We are called to serve as Christ-followers, and we strive to do so joyfully in love and thanksgiving.

5. Our elders study and learn. The path of eldership is never completed this side of heaven. Just as we

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commit ourselves prior to ordination to knowing the Word of God and studying theological texts, we continue in those pursuits daily as long as God gives us the ability. We also study and learn from one another “as iron sharpens iron” (Prov. 27:17) and we study and learn from our experiences shepherding the flock. We are continually learning and growing in our roles as overseers/elders/shepherds/pastors.

6. Our elders love. Perhaps most evident to me is the love our elders have for the Lord and for His people.

Love is an expression of our obedience to God as Jesus calls us to “love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 13:34; 15:12) Even when we are experiencing pain or conflict, we love. (John 15:13) We pray that our love is a reflection of God’s love for His people, a grace-filled love that holds no grudges and is offered unconditionally. We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) 7. Our elders protect the flock (Acts 20). Paul knew that “fierce wolves” would come in after his departure and that men from their own midst would rise up to draw disciples away. Elders are called to protect and care for the church of God, “which he obtained with his own blood” for the sake of the Gospel and the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

The flock should know it is being protected from evil influences by elders who take seriously their role to provide spiritual protection from spiritual predators.

8. Our elders help develop future elders. It has been said that the church is one generation away from extinction. It is our privilege to train and raise up future elders who will lead our congregation from generation to generation according to God’s sovereign power for His glory.

We are grateful to serve as your elders. We do not take the responsibilities lightly, nor do we consider ourselves burdened to delight in God’s calling upon our lives. I have limited myself to a few broad categories of “what elders do” since a complete list would be both impossible to write and far too lengthy to read. But I do pray that the above captures the spirit of your elders as we shepherd the church of God at Bethany. Thank you for allowing us to serve joyfully (Hebrews 13:17) and for your continued prayers for God’s leading in our lives and the life of our congregation. 

November Calendar Highlights November 2

Family Meal, 5:00-5:45pm Awana, 6:15pm Youth Group, 6:15pm Choir, 7:45am Car Care Day (by appointment only) Shelby Courtney Bridal Shower (off-site), 10am Daylight Savings ends overnight —Fall Back!

Jerry Sanderson

November 5

Bethany has been a part of MOPS international for 19 years. It has been a wonderful ministry of building relationships with ladies in the community with the goal of pointing them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they enter their years of motherhood. Many ladies and then their families have come to Christ over the years through the ministry of MOPS at Bethany and many have also started attending Bethany.

November 6

Worship Services, 8:15 & 11am ABCs/Sunday School, 9:45am Discovering Church Membership, 9:45am Open Hearts Open Homes Study, 11am A Community Christmas Rehearsal, 3pm Children’s Choir, 4pm

November 9

Family Meal, 5:00-5:45pm Awana, 6:15 Youth Group (Community Groups), 6:15pm Choir, 7:45pm

Over the last several years, the leadership of MOPS at Bethany grew increasingly concerned about the direction of the national MOPS organization. This year the leadership of MOPS International developed materials and made statements that caused our concern to become an alarm. We simply felt like MOPS International had moved away from the Gospel to a point that we could no longer be associated with it.

November 10

Ladies Bible Study (off-site), 10:30am Ladies Bible Study, 6:30pm

November 12

Hats of Hope, 9am

November 13

Worship Services, 8:15 & 11am ABCs/Sunday School, 9:45am Discovering Church Membership, 9:45am Children’s Choir, 4pm

November 16

Family Meal, 5:00-5:45pm Awana, 6:15pm Jr./Sr. High Youth Group, 6:15pm Choir, 7:45pm

November 19

ACC Rehearsal, 9am Stephanie Ramsey Bridal Shower, 10am

November 20

Worship Services, 8:15 & 11am ABCs/Sunday School, 9:45am Discovering Church Membership, 9:45am 3-on-3 Turkey Tourney @ Family YMCA, 2pm Children’s Choir, 4pm Feast of Thanks, 5:30pm

November 21

PrimeTime Fellowship, 11am Women Helping Women, 7pm

November 23

NO Family Meal, Awana, or Youth Group

November 24

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 27

Worship Services, 8:15 & 11am ABCs/Sunday School, 9:45am

November 30

Family Meal, 5:00-5:45pm Awana, 6:15pm Youth Group, 6:15pm First Prayer in Prayer Room, 6:30pm Choir, 7:45am

MOPS is gone, MOMents is here!

I am so thankful that our MOPS leadership and our elders were unified in our decision to move away from MOPS International in order to preserve the Gospel integrity of our ministry. The ladies who lead MOPS quickly developed a plan and renamed Bethany MOPS to MOMents (Real Moms, Real Life).

The structure remains the same and the goal remains the same (to glorify God by having a relational ministry to young Moms that introduce them to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and disciple them in the faith).

MOMents is a Bethany Baptist ministry and is not affiliated with any outside group. However, the goal to reach young moms both inside and outside Bethany, from the Peoria community, remain the same. We are excited by how the Lord has blessed the group this year and are praying for His continued grace and guidance as we reach young moms in a relational way and present the Gospel of Christ to them. 

View the full calendar at bethanycentral.org!

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Children’s Ministry

Ginny Smith ginny@bethanycentral.org At Bethany, we seek to “glorify God by proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and preparing His people to worship Him now and forever.” We want this purpose statement to extend to even our littlest attenders and their caregivers in the Nursery.

Jaclyn Taylor, our Nursery Coordinator, has explored ways to create a more-worshipful environment in our Nursery.

Two new items are being introduced. First, new CDs of worship music have been placed in each room. The Nursery caregivers have been encouraged to play these during their time of serving. This will help hearts be filled with biblical truths as they hear these Gospel-oriented songs. Second, example prayers have been placed over each diaper changing station. They are there to help encourage Nursery workers to pray for each child in their care. This is another wonderful way to influence the next generation to seek the Lord by praying for tender, responsive hearts to His Word.

If you are not part of the Nursery Team, we invite you to join us. Come and be involved in preparing the next generation of worshippers!

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

2 Corinthians 4:5

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Special Awana Dates to Note This Month November 16 Theme: Career Night November 23 Off for Thanksgiving

Bridal Shower for Shelby Courtney Saturday, November 5 at 10 am Cru Building @Bradley—1218 Bradley Ave, Peoria

Discovering Church Membership Sundays at 9:45am November 6, 13 & 20

Laura Smith and Kristen Sauder invite all ladies to celebrate Shelby's upcoming marriage to Kyle Deeter. The couple is registered at Crate and Barrel, Amazon, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

If you are interested in joining the church or just learning more about Bethany, plan to attend this class. Please RSVP to Jennifer in the church office (jennifer@bethanycentral.org).

Hats of Hope Work Night Saturday, November 12 at 9am

Bridal Shower for Stephanie Ramsey Saturday, November 19 at 10am, In the Café

Use your gifts and talents in sewing and knitting, or simply cut fabric and make fabric flowers for hats for cancer patients.

Contact: Holly Miller at 648-1693

Becca Albertson, Sarah Barley, and Claudia Lawson invite all ladies to celebrate Stephanie’s upcoming marriage to Scott Lawson. The couple is registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Amazon.com.

3-on-3 Turkey Tourney Sunday, November 20, 2-4pm at the Family YMCA—7000 Fleming Ln, Peoria

PrimeTime Monday, November 21 at 11am

Jr. High and up are invited to play basketball at the Family YMCA before the Feast of Thanks. Sign up a team or come to cheer. Please see Josh Beakley or Aaron Boerckel for details.

Women Helping Women Work Night Monday, November 21 at 7pm Join us as we prepare products and kits for keepsake boxes that will help parents through the difficulty of losing a child. Sewing skills are not required. Contact: Nicole Pepper at 683-1181.

College Care Packages Donation collection ends Sunday, November 6 Did you know that our church has nearly 100 college students? In November we will be sending them care packages from our church body.

We are collecting miscellaneous food, snack, and fun items to send in boxes to our college students.

Donations can be dropped off at the Welcome Center now through November 6. For more information, contact Kari in the church office at kari@bethanycentral.org.

If you have a student who is currently at college, please contact the church office at 692-1755 with their school address.

All seniors are invited to join us for a delicious lunch of homemade turkey pot pie. The Jorden’s will be sharing about their new ministry opportunity. Please call the church office at 692-1755 to sign up for this sweet time of fellowship.

First Prayer Wednesday, November 30 6:30pm in the Prayer Room Join us in the Prayer Room for this special time of prayer for our church family.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people I Timothy 2:1

Biblical Counseling Conference February 12-17, 2017 in Lafayette, IN Be Challenged! Be Equipped!

Be Connected! Be Renewed!

The Biblical Counseling Training Conference is coming in February.

The early registration discount is available to those who register by November 11. Join us for a week of Bible-centered instruction so that your counsel will be more compassionate, Christ-centered and practical.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Bateman at jennifer@bethanycentral.org.

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Operation Christmas Child Pro-Life Holiday Fair Saturday, November 5 9am-3pm in our Gym Come get your shopping done while supporting local businesses and vendors and enjoy food for purchase while benefitting the Morning Center.

If you have questions, please contact Stephanie Brodersen: steph.brodersen@gmail.com (918) 729-6477

Global Outreach Christmas Collection During the month of November we will collect an offering for Christmas gifts for our Global Outreach Partners.

You may either give in your ABC or through the general offering. A special giving envelope will be provided in your October 30 worship bulletin. (Extra envelopes will be available at the Welcome Center.) Thank you for taking part in this opportunity to encourage our GO-partners!

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Since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God’s love through the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child. Samaritan’s Purse works with local churches and ministry partners to deliver the gifts and share the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ.

Pick up a ready-made box and a form with mailing label from the Resource Center in the church foyer or from the collection bin in the Children’s wing. Bring filled boxes back with your $7 donation to cover mailing cost by Sunday, November 13. Contact Carol Vance at 387-2021 for more information.

Box Item Suggestions What goes in the box is fun.

TOYS: dolls, toy cars, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls SCHOOL SUPPLIES: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators NON-LIQUID HYGIENE ITEMS: bar soap, toothbrushes, combs, washcloths, etc.

ACCESSORIES: t-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.

A PERSONAL NOTE: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may be able to write back.

What comes out of the box is eternal!

In the hands of local churches, every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship—transforming lives of children and their families around the world through the Good News of Jesus Christ.

For more information visit: www.samaritanspurse.org

A Community Christmas 2016 Free tickets will be available beginning Sunday, November 6.

Make plans to join us for one of our three presentations: 

Saturday, December 3 2:00pm & 6:00pm at Bethany Baptist Church, Edwards



Sunday, December 4 6:00pm at Living Hope Church, Bartonville

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given ... and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

Tickets for the presentations at Bethany Baptist will be available at the Welcome Center at church beginning Sunday, November 6 or online at ACommunityChristmas.com on November 7. The presentation at Living Hope is not ticketed.

Handel’s Messiah Prepare your hearts for Christmas by joining the BEST (Boomers Engaged in Sharing Together) trip to Handel’s Messiah at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, on Saturday, December 10.

This classic work by George Frederic Handel traces the completed work of Jesus Christ, from the foretelling of His coming through His birth, life, death and resurrection. The entire work is Scripture, set vividly to music and sung by the choir and accompanied by a full orchestra. This is Augustana’s 65th year to present the Messiah. Featured guest artists are: Mary Wilson, soprano; Rebecca Ringle, mezzo-soprano; Dann Coakwell, tenor; Mark Walters, baritone.

We will depart Bethany at 3:30pm and stop for dinner along the way. The concert is at 7pm. We should return to Bethany by 10:30pm.

Cost: $20 plus dinner on your own Please RSVP to church office by November 13 so we can reserve tickets.

If you have questions, please contact Pastor Lyall.

Email: lyall@Bethanycentral.org | Church Office: 692-1755

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Bethany Baptist Church 7422 N. Heinz Lane Edwards, IL 61528

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE P A I D PEORIA, ILLINOIS PERMIT NO. 917 Address Service Requested

Feast of Thanks Sunday, November 20 at 5:30pm in the Gym Join us for this special time of sharing a meal and giving thanks to God for His provision for us in this past year.

Turkey and beverage will be provided. Bring any two of: veggie, salad, dessert. RSVP online or on an upcoming insert in the Sunday worship bulletin.