Bethany Bugle - September 2011
From Pastor Jonathan’s Pen
The Importance of Sweet Fellowship in Christ
Only Christians know what it means to have sweet fellowship with one another. What though is fellowship? How is it different from the fun and pleasure non-Christians may have when they get together? Why is it so necessary? These are important questions that we need to answer.
In the New Testament we read of the early church enjoying fellowship with each other. In Acts 2:42 we read, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship…” The Greek word for fellowship, “koinonia” means participating or sharing in something. Christians share in a common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in faith in His precious blood that cleanses away all our sin; they share in His life and power that is at work within them through the Holy Spirit; they share in the joy of the coming resurrection from the dead and eternal glory and they share in a common goal to live each day for the glory of God and to spread His gospel to the nations. When true born-again Christians come together these are some of the things that make their fellowship rich and sweet. The unbeliever cannot share these things; he does not know what it is to be in Christ; to be joined together with other believers in one body that is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He may have good friends and share certain things in common with them, like a common interest in sport or in business goals. But he knows nothing of that wonderful love of Christ that fills the believer’s soul and that unites him together with other believers. As Christians we know what it is to enjoy fellowship with each other. Whether it be at church, in a Home Group or at a men or ladies camp, believers often speak of the joys and sweetness of Christian fellowship, of having being together, of having shared and prayed together and of having been taught from the precious Word of God.
My Angel Friends (By Pat Bodenstein)
On Saturday 27 August I took part in the Spar Woman’s run/walk. I have taken part in two previous walks, doing the 10kms walk with no problems. This year I registered for the 5km walk.
I walked with four friends from Bethany. It was very hot and the juice I had was warm. We started off at a good pace but suddenly I could not breathe properly and started coughing. I slowed down and my friends did the same. My good friend told the others to go on ahead and she stayed with me. Each time I stopped she did the same. She gave me her hand and tried to lead me.
Missions Trip to India and China (Krish and Esther Dasari)
We visited 7 remote villages to the south of India during March. The people are poor and needy – literary poor and they need a Saviour to take them out of their predicament and bondage. These people who served and worshipped idols needed God to save them. In the villages there are no churches and here the “harvest is very ripe and the labourers are very few”.
Missions Trip to the Hibredes (Gavin & Desiree Campbell - 'Rose of Sharon')
This update comes to you from the Isles of Lewis and Harris. We completed our time of preaching and meetings on North Uist, Berneray and Benbecula. We had another huge setback when our car blew a cylinder head gasket and we were told that the cost of repairs to the car would be far more than the value of the car and was not worth repairing it. It had to be replaced - easier said than done for the likes of us - until we prayed.
Fellowship in Zambia (Lynne Schaefer)
Fellowship: Friendly association of people; companionship. A group of people sharing common interests.
Life in Zambia is all about relationships. When you meet people on the street it's not just a "Hi" or "Goodbye!" When you go into a shop to buy something, it is rude to not greet those in the store. Where-ever there are people there is fellowship. It is a way of life.