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BALEVILLE CHURCH
-- Christian Congregational Denomination --
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I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Again, I would like to thank the congregation for your generous Christmas gift as it was such an encouragement to our family!
Over the next few weeks, we will wrap up our series in 1 Peter. Throughout our study, we have discovered that Peter is sharing precious foundational truths with believers who likely felt alone, isolated, and vulnerable to discouragement. He encourages them to see the trials, struggles, and various sufferings they are experiencing through a different lens - one in which God is in charge and is using their struggles to refine them and make them stronger.
Peter helps his readers to understand that suffering in its various forms will be a part of believers' lives. He tells them in 1 Peter 4:12 not to be surprised, and at the very end of chapter 4, he calls them to suffer according to God's will (vs. 19). In other words, God has a plan for the suffering that we are experiencing as we live for Christ. In his goodness and grace, he is allowing this hard thing to transform us and complete what he's begun in us.
Woven throughout the entire book is a reminder that, because of his deep love for us, Jesus Christ went through the most unjust suffering of all. How did he respond? I Peter 2:23 says that "when they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." When Jesus was mistreated or suffered, he entrusted himself to his Father.
We also can become easily discouraged - especially now when fear is running rampant. However, we need to remember that when our attitude is one of fear, we no longer trust that God is in control and we become blind to what he is trying to teach us. The only way to find peace is to remember and fully believe that nothing is in my control and absolutely nothing is out of God's control.
As we enter this new year, let's entrust ourselves to the Lord and encourage one another to stand firm in the faith. One practical way we can do this is by gathering for worship and Bible study. I'd like to invite you to prayerfully get involved in one of the new Bible studies that are starting in February which are listed below.
- Pastor Brian
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These are a few sample pages from our new website ( www.baleville.com)! Go check it out if you haven't yet! It was designed for two purposes. 1) To provide information for guests and those looking for a new church, and 2) As a tool for you, our church members, to stay up to date on events, Bible studies, sermons, next steps in your faith, etc. |
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3 Bible Studies beginning in February!
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WEDNESDAYS * 10am-11am (Starting Feb. 2nd)
Every Wednesday morning, all are welcome to join Pastor Brian to further discuss the sermon from Sunday morning. Please bring your thoughts and questions as we apply truths from God's word to our everyday lives. Our hope is that we are able to encourage one another and end our time praying for various needs within our church family.
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EVERY OTHER SATURDAY * 7am - 8:30am (Starting Feb. 5th)
Men are driven to succeed, however, Paul shares in Philippians 4, that he has learned how to be content in any and every situation. What was his secret? Was contentment found in careers, possessions, sexual relationships or families? As men, we need to let the truths of God's word lead us to find our ultimate satisfaction in Christ. When we do that, we will experience true joy and fulfillment in other areas. Join us for an in-depth study of God’s Word as we learn more about what it means to be followers of Jesus. Led by Pastor Brian.
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THURSDAYS * 7pm - 8:30pm (Starting Feb. 3rd)
As Christians, we are often reminded to ‘read our Bible’. But what does that mean and how exactly are we to do that? Are we supposed to flip the Bible open to a different passage every day? Is it best to follow a devotional book? Maybe we should start at the beginning and just keep reading? Or – perhaps we rarely open the Bible on our own because it is too overwhelming.
If these are questions or thoughts you have, please join us as we go through the study “Women of the Word” by Jen Wilkin. It is a transformational study geared toward equipping believers with the tools to study the Bible the way God intended it to be studied! Led by Bonnie Ingraham
If you are planning on coming, sign up using the link below so we can purchase enough books. Invite your friends!
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New Worship Service Chairs
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We are blessed to have new seating in our current worship space. Thank you to all who helped do the research, contribute financially, unload the truck, and set them up!
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Students from 7th-12th grade are invited to come out every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 5-7PM! Youth group includes dinner, games, and a lesson time designed to help students grow in their relationship with Christ. Our next Youth Group is scheduled for Sunday, February 6th! See our church calendar for more upcoming dates.
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Upcoming Fellowship Events
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Soup Sunday
January 30th 11:30am
Join us immediately following the Worship service for fellowship and lunch. Bring your favorite soup to share!
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Pancake Dinner
March 1st, 6:00pm
We invite you to a time of food, fellowship, and reflection as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Easter.
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After 10 years of faithful service to our congregation as Office Manager, Aileen Healy has decided to pursue a different career path. We are excited for her and the new direction God is taking her! On January 30th, we will be honoring her during our Sunday morning service.
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Mark 10:14 "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God."
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His Love
By Ellie Ingraham, age 12
The trees whisper His presence,
The birds sing of His pleasance.
As His love flows like a river,
He gives warmth when we shiver.
In the darkness He gives light,
When we are weak, we lean on His might.
Still we forget the one who came,
For out of love, He was slain.
Because we sinned, our hearts unclean,
For us he died, now our sin unseen.
Cause on that fateful day, a curtain tore,
So we can live in paradise forevermore.
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Audrey loves to take the tracts from church and give them to her neighbors and people she meets at the store.
"I love the gospel and I want to share with people. I know people are in trouble and they need people to give them tracts to know the Lord Jesus." Audrey Lopez, age 10
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January marks the official start to our partnership with My Brothers Place. By partnering with them, we allow our parsonage to be used as short-term housing solution for a local family in need. They will be sharing with our church on February 20th! For more information on My Brothers Place, visit www.mybrothersplace.com. |
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We are excited to announce that we will be partnering with Today's Choice for their 'Baby Bottle Boomerang' Fundraiser. Today's Choice is a local, Christ-Centered organization dedicated to bringing HOPE for life, and hope in a relationship with Jesus. For more info visit www.friendsoftodayschoice.org.
Pick up your baby bottle at church and return by Feb. 13th! |
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Winter weather is upon us! In the event that we need to cancel any of our programs (Sunday morning service, weekly Bible study etc.), we will post a message at the top of our website ( www.baleville.com).
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Here are a couple links you might find helpful. Each of these links can also be found on our website - www.baleville.com
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