The From the OUR STAFF Bellevue Bapti st Church Rev. Charles Beshears.…Interim Pastor Rev. Rick Willis…Associate Pastor & Minister of Music/Education Rev. Cale Colvin….Associate Pastor & Minister of Youth/Recreation Every Member.….Minister Mountaintop Volume 47 January 29, 2015 No. 05 Bellevue Baptist Church, 150 Noccalula Drive, Gadsden 35904 256-547-4902/www.bbcgadsden.com A View from the ‘Vue WHAT IS TRUE WORSHIP? “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind & one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6 Have you ever heard (or said) on a Sunday afternoon “I didn’t get anything out of the service today.” or “I guess that song was ok, but I didn’t care for it.” or “He was off his game today.” Most of us have. We have strayed far from the biblical concept of worship – which is to give God His due in all the ways He has commanded. No pastor or worship leader can determine whether another individual will worship. That decision is up to each person to choose for himself whether he will worship. Worship is a VERB – an ACTIVE VERB at that. It is something we do, not something done to us. Paul & Silas worshipped God in the Philippians prison while in shackles with blood oozing from their wounds. (Acts 16:25) They chose to worship. Even in the worst of circumstances, anyone can choose to worship, honor, glorify, sing, praise and lift up the holy name of JESUS! Man was made for the purpose of communion with God, to give Him honor, glory and praise. Life is more satisfying and fulfilling when we do what we were created to do: TO HONOR GOD and GIVE HIM GLORY! We do this not only in worship on Sunday, but also in the way we live each day. Throughout Scripture, we see that true worship includes obedience. In fact, 1 Sam 15:22 says God prefers obedience over sacrifice. Obedience includes God’s words concerning the way we treat each other. We cannot honor God when we dishonor His children. “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, (or sister) he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother,(or sister) whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20-21) Worship, if genuine, should make a difference in the way we treat others seven days a week. In Micah 6, the question is asked, “what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Worship involves all of life. We see this in the words of Paul in Romans 12:1, “I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” Our concept of worship must go far beyond music, the day of the week &/or rituals. Those details are not nearly as important as the way we treat our family, friends and neighbors. Worship is much more than outward actions or lip service – it involves a change in behavior, rooted in a total change of heart, a change produced in us by the Holy Spirit. It is evidence of our salvation! Our transformation does not happen by magic – it happens through time spent communing with God. We are to worship by the way we live, not just a few hours each week on a certain day. And surely, if our life is devoted to the worship of Holy God, this will most definitely include some time each week with other Christians. We are called to worship, celebrate and glorify God. It is our joy to be able to declare His praises, to share the good news of what He has done for us – in and through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “With one mind & one voice” may we “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” this Sunday! Bro. Rick L.L.L. FUNDRAISER LUNCH OFFERING ENVELOPES On Sunday, February 1st after morning Worship L.L.L. will be having a Fundraiser Soup Lunch. This year’s project is repairing Fellowship Hall Walkway. We will not be ordering new offering envelopes this year due to the “extra” box (you received two boxes last year) we gave out last year that would cover this year. If you have used up both boxes or never received one let the church office know and we will give you a filler box of envelopes to use until the next ordering cycle. PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES If you had your picture made to go into the New Church Directory you will receive a FREE directory. If you did NOT have your picture made to go into the directory it is $5.00 to receive one to offset the money we paid to have extra directories printed. They are in limited supply. REMINDER The Church Sanctuary will be open every Sunday morning from 8-9am for prayer. PLEASE come and pray for our present and future leaders, our teachers and our church body! Let’s pray for GOD’s will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven! Pre-School Volunteers for Sunday, February 1st A LOOK BACK AT 01/18/2015 2014 Contribution Tax Statements are ready! Pick yours up in the Foyer! SUNDAY SCHOOL: BUDGET OFFERING: 197 $9,173.00 Stewart & Kelly Burns, David & Cheryl Tommie, Brian Thornsbury & Nathan Pullin PM Tena Wright Our Schedule of Events SUNDAY, February 1st Sunday School Morning Worship Weight Watchers Sunday Evening Service WEDNESDAY, February 4th 9:30am 10:45am 3:30pm 6:00pm K.I.T. Snack Time K.I.T. Activities Bible Study/Prayer Student Activities Adult Choir Practice 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm