Embracing Community and Faith During Holy Week
Summary
Good morning, Bethesda! Today, we are filled with joy as we gather to worship and connect with one another. If you're visiting us for the first time, we extend a warm welcome and invite you to fill out a connect card, which you can find in the pew rack or by scanning the QR code. This card is not only a way for us to get to know you but also a means for you to share any prayer requests you might have. We are eager to partner with you in prayer and support.
For those joining us online, we are grateful for your presence. Feel free to engage in the chat and share where you're watching from or any prayer needs you have. As we look ahead, there are several exciting opportunities to get involved. Our CYOS prison ministry is actively sharing Christ's love at the Bridgeport unit, and they welcome your support and involvement. Additionally, our "Be the Church" series continues with the "New to Membership" class, which is essential for those looking to become members of our community.
Youth Camp is approaching, and we are thrilled to have Pastor Joe and the EC leadership joining us. Parents, this is a great chance to meet the team and discuss any questions you might have. Remember, the early bird registration for camp is open until April 9th. Also, don't miss Rory's pickleball tournament on April 11th, a fun event supporting our school's new hallway branding efforts.
As we prepare for Holy Week, we invite you to join us for a series of transformative services, starting with Palm Sunday and culminating in our Easter celebrations. This is a time to reflect on the profound impact of Christ's death and resurrection. We encourage you to invite family and friends to experience this life-changing week with us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Connection and community are vital aspects of our faith journey. By filling out a connect card, whether you're new or have a prayer request, you open the door to deeper relationships and spiritual support within our church family. [00:08]
2. The CYOS prison ministry exemplifies the call to serve and share Christ's love beyond the church walls. Engaging in such outreach opportunities allows us to live out our faith in tangible ways, impacting lives and communities. [00:58]
3. Membership in a church community is more than a formality; it's a commitment to grow and serve together. The "New to Membership" class is a step towards deeper involvement and understanding of our shared mission. [01:09]
4. Youth Camp offers a unique opportunity for young people to encounter God and build lasting friendships. It's a time of spiritual growth and fun, and the early bird registration ensures more families can participate. [01:31]
5. Holy Week is a sacred time to reflect on the core of our Christian faith—the death and resurrection of Jesus. Participating in these services can be a transformative experience, renewing our faith and understanding of God's love. [03:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Connect Card Introduction
[00:21] - Prayer Requests and Online Engagement
[00:46] - Upcoming Events Overview
[00:58] - CYOS Prison Ministry
[01:09] - New to Membership Class
[01:31] - Youth Camp Details
[01:52] - Early Bird Registration
[02:05] - Rory's Pickleball Tournament
[02:15] - Holy Week Invitation
[02:29] - Palm Sunday and Good Friday Services
[02:45] - Easter Sunday Celebrations
[03:01] - Children's Easter Celebration
[03:17] - The Transformative Power of Holy Week
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 25:35-36 - "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
2. Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
3. Romans 12:4-5 - "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Observation Questions:
1. What are some ways the CYOS prison ministry is living out the call to serve others as described in Matthew 25:35-36? [00:58]
2. How does the "New to Membership" class reflect the idea of being part of one body in Christ as mentioned in Romans 12:4-5? [01:09]
3. What opportunities are available for the youth to grow spiritually and build community at the upcoming Youth Camp? [01:31]
4. How does the church encourage connection and community through the use of connect cards and prayer requests? [00:08]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the CYOS prison ministry exemplify the teachings of Matthew 25:35-36, and what impact might this have on both the volunteers and the inmates? [00:58]
2. In what ways does participating in the "New to Membership" class deepen one's understanding of being part of the church community as described in Romans 12:4-5? [01:09]
3. How can attending Youth Camp contribute to a young person's spiritual growth and understanding of Hebrews 10:24-25? [01:31]
4. What role does community play in strengthening one's faith, as suggested by the encouragement to fill out connect cards and engage in prayer requests? [00:08]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you served others outside the church walls. How did it impact your faith, and how can you get involved in similar outreach opportunities like the CYOS prison ministry? [00:58]
2. If you are not yet a member of the church, what steps can you take to become more involved and committed to the community, similar to the "New to Membership" class? [01:09]
3. For parents, how can you encourage your children to participate in events like Youth Camp, and what conversations can you have with them to prepare for this experience? [01:31]
4. How can you use the connect card to deepen your relationships within the church community, and what specific prayer requests might you share to invite others into your spiritual journey? [00:08]
5. As Holy Week approaches, what specific actions can you take to invite family and friends to join you in the transformative services, and how can you prepare your heart for this sacred time? [02:15]
6. Consider the importance of community in your faith journey. What steps can you take to ensure you are actively participating and encouraging others, as suggested in Hebrews 10:24-25? [00:08]
7. How can you support the church's efforts, such as Rory's pickleball tournament, to foster community and contribute to the church's mission? [02:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Building Connections Through Community
In the journey of faith, connection and community play a crucial role. By engaging with others, whether through filling out a connect card or sharing prayer requests, individuals open themselves to deeper relationships and spiritual support within the church family. This act of reaching out is not just about receiving support but also about offering it, creating a network of care and encouragement. The church community becomes a place where burdens are shared, joys are celebrated, and faith is nurtured collectively. [00:08]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to today to offer encouragement or support? How can you take a step to deepen your connection with them?
Day 2: Serving Beyond the Church Walls
The CYOS prison ministry is a powerful example of living out faith beyond the confines of the church. By engaging in outreach opportunities, individuals can share Christ's love in tangible ways, impacting lives and communities. This ministry challenges believers to step out of their comfort zones and serve those who are often forgotten or marginalized. It is a call to action, reminding us that faith is not just about personal growth but also about making a difference in the world around us. [00:58]
"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body." (Hebrews 13:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can serve or support a ministry that reaches beyond the church walls this week? How can you be a part of sharing Christ's love with those who need it most?
Day 3: Commitment to Church Membership
Becoming a member of a church community is more than a formality; it is a commitment to grow and serve together. The "New to Membership" class is an essential step for those looking to deepen their involvement and understanding of the church's shared mission. Membership signifies a willingness to be accountable, to contribute to the community, and to participate actively in the life of the church. It is a journey of mutual support and shared purpose, where individuals come together to pursue a common vision. [01:09]
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19, ESV)
Reflection: What does being a committed member of your church community mean to you? How can you actively contribute to the mission and vision of your church?
Day 4: Spiritual Growth at Youth Camp
Youth Camp offers a unique opportunity for young people to encounter God and build lasting friendships. It is a time of spiritual growth and fun, where participants can explore their faith in a supportive environment. The camp experience is designed to challenge and inspire, providing a space for young people to deepen their relationship with God and with each other. Early bird registration ensures that more families can participate, making this transformative experience accessible to all. [01:31]
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you encourage a young person in your life to participate in opportunities for spiritual growth, such as Youth Camp? What role can you play in supporting their faith journey?
Day 5: Reflecting on the Transformative Power of Holy Week
Holy Week is a sacred time to reflect on the core of the Christian faith—the death and resurrection of Jesus. Participating in these services can be a transformative experience, renewing faith and understanding of God's love. It is a time to invite family and friends to join in the journey, experiencing the profound impact of Christ's sacrifice and victory over death. This week serves as a reminder of the hope and redemption offered through Jesus, encouraging believers to live out their faith with renewed passion and purpose. [03:17]
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and mind to fully engage with the services and reflections of Holy Week? Who can you invite to join you in experiencing the transformative power of this sacred time?
Quotes
Good morning Bethesda we are so glad you chose to come and worship with us this morning if it's your first time here, welcome please fill out one of our connect cards you can do so by scanning this QR code or locating one in the Pew Rack in front of you fill it out and take it to one of our Hub locations in the front foyer or in the north Atrium and we will give you a small thank you gift for joining us we want to meet you and get you connected here at Bethesda our connect cards can also be used for letting us know your prayer requests so if you have one fill it out and bring it to the hub because we want to partner in prayer with you. [00:00:48]
If you're watching online this morning we are so grateful you are able to join us you can join the chat and let us know where you're watching from and if you have a prayer request you can leave that there too and now here's Pastor Josh with a few things coming up here at Bethesda good morning Bethesda allow me to share with you some ways to get connected cyos prison ministry is going this week to the Bridgeport unit to share Christ with the inmates they are doing great work there and they invite you to come and talk with them today after the service. [00:00:36]
There are still some ways that we can help they're going to be in the hallway down by the coffee shop right after service our final segment of the be the church series is called New to membership and it began this morning but it will run two more weeks if you desire to become a member of Bethesda Community Church you have to attend my class so if you missed it come next week and the week after and I'll let you watch the video of today's meeting but you can only miss one of the three meetings register online so I know that you're coming see you soon. [00:01:02]
Youth Camp is coming up soon and pastor Joe and some of the leadership from EC are coming up as well from Houston to be with us on Wednesday night April the 9th parents if you want to meet the team and ask questions about Camp they want to talk to you too they're available before and after the service by the way camp registration is now open and Pastor Caleb and Thomas have graciously extended the early bird price to April 9th so that you can talk with the EC guys before making your final decisions all you need to do to secure a spot for that early bird price is register and put $100 down. [00:01:29]
Rory's pickle ball tournament is coming up on Friday April 11th in our gym at 600 p.m. the cost is $100 per team and all the proceeds go towards our School's new hallway branding efforts also if you don't want to play you can just come and eat concession food and hang out and fellowship it's going to be a lot of fun please register your team by April the 7th more info can be found online hey everyone this is Pastor Wayman in Kimberly and we want to invite you to celebrate the Holy Week here at Bethesda Community Church. [00:01:58]
We are looking forward to a wonderful week beginning with Palm Sunday on April 13th and a Good Friday service on April 18th at 700 p.m. and then of course Easter Sunday with two English-speaking services at 9 and 11 a.m. in our Spanish French Swahili and kenu wand and kundi services at their normal times not only will there be a special music presentation by our choir and Orchestra but the same presence of God that raised Jesus from the dead will be present with us yes and don't forget that our beid Community from fifth grade and Below will also have their own Easter celebration we would love for you and the whole family to join us. [00:02:22]
Listen nothing is more transformative in our Christian faith than celebrating the death and resurrection of Christ this Holy Week promises to be a lifechanging moment for all of us so start inviting your family and friends now for more information visit Easter bethesda.com see you soon. [00:03:09]
Our connect cards can also be used for letting us know your prayer requests so if you have one fill it out and bring it to the hub because we want to partner in prayer with you if you're watching online this morning we are so grateful you are able to join us you can join the chat and let us know where you're watching from and if you have a prayer request you can leave that there too and now here's Pastor Josh with a few things coming up here at Bethesda. [00:00:30]
Good morning Bethesda allow me to share with you some ways to get connected cyos prison ministry is going this week to the Bridgeport unit to share Christ with the inmates they are doing great work there and they invite you to come and talk with them today after the service there are still some ways that we can help they're going to be in the hallway down by the coffee shop right after service our final segment of the be the church series is called New to membership and it began this morning but it will run two more weeks if you desire to become a member of Bethesda Community Church you have to attend my class. [00:00:52]
So if you missed it come next week and the week after and I'll let you watch the video of today's meeting but you can only miss one of the three meetings register online so I know that you're coming see you soon Youth Camp is coming up soon and pastor Joe and some of the leadership from EC are coming up as well from Houston to be with us on Wednesday night April the 9th parents if you want to meet the team and ask questions about Camp they want to talk to you too they're available before and after the service by the way camp registration is now open and Pastor Caleb and Thomas have graciously extended the early bird price to April 9th. [00:01:10]
So that you can talk with the EC guys before making your final decisions all you need to do to secure a spot for that early bird price is register and put $100 down Rory's pickle ball tournament is coming up on Friday April 11th in our gym at 600 p.m. the cost is $100 per team and all the proceeds go towards our School's new hallway branding efforts also if you don't want to play you can just come and eat concession food and hang out and fellowship it's going to be a lot of fun please register your team by April the 7th more info can be found online. [00:01:35]
Hey everyone this is Pastor Wayman in Kimberly and we want to invite you to celebrate the Holy Week here at Bethesda Community Church we are looking forward to a wonderful week beginning with Palm Sunday on April 13th and a Good Friday service on April 18th at 700 p.m. and then of course Easter Sunday with two English-speaking services at 9 and 11 a.m. in our Spanish French Swahili and kenu wand and kundi services at their normal times not only will there be a special music presentation by our choir and Orchestra but the same presence of God that raised Jesus from the dead will be present with us. [00:02:15]
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