November 2020 Inspirations & Encouragement
November is a time of thanksgiving and remembering. As we reflect upon Paul's words in Philippians, we invite you to remember each other with joy filled prays and to remember and give thanks for the wonderful times that our church family and community have spent together in years past. And, when the Lord ordains it, we will physically fellowship together again. But until that time, we invite you to join us virtually and continue giving thanks for the Lord bringing and keeping us together in new ways for the present age! For we know and believe that the good work that He has begun in each of us and at Bethlehem will continue to grow.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. _Philippians 1: 3-6
CLICK BELOW FOR A THANKFUL
REMEMBRANCE OF 2011 & 2015
2011 Church Events
2015 Church Events
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November is a time of thanksgiving and remembering. As we reflect upon Paul's words in Philippians, we invite you to remember each other with joy filled prays and to remember and give thanks for the wonderful times that our church family and community have spent together in years past. And, when the Lord ordains it, we will physically fellowship together again. But until that time, we invite you to join us virtually and continue giving thanks for the Lord bringing and keeping us together in new ways for the present age! For we know and believe that the good work that He has begun in each of us and at Bethlehem will continue to grow.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. _Philippians 1: 3-6
CLICK BELOW FOR A THANKFUL
REMEMBRANCE OF 2011 & 2015
2011 Church Events
2015 Church Events
-------------------------------------
August 19, 2020
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
__ Romans 15:13 NIV
August 12, 2020
A joyful heart makes a cheerful face…
__ Proverbs 15:13, New American Standard Bible
Last week was a loooong week. I was tired and I am positive that I looked visibly tired. HOWEVER, my joy was still intact and unintentionally, so was my smile! Sometimes, we need a reminder that regardless of our situation or how we feel, it is our duty as the children of God to just keep pressing forward with hope and joy and then, God’s glory will shine through.
My reminder of this came during my third Zoom video meeting of the day. I received a compliment and my first thought was, “quick turn off the camera before they see how tired you look!” And, then I was reminded, although it had been a long week and I felt tired, I still had joy. And, when we have joy on the inside, it will shine through. Never forget, even as children of God, we are going to get tired, but we are blessed and because of that, there is always a reason to smile!
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance...
__ Proverbs 15:13, King James Version
In case, you need a smile pick-me-up, here’s one of my favorite songs that always leaves me joyful and smiling: YOU https://youtu.be/MGDUP4KlSPg
July 1, 2020
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. __Romans 15:13
June 24, 2020
CONGRATULATIONS! Jeffrey Williams passed his professional counseling licensing exam and was approved for LPC licensure in Virginia on June 11, 2020.
MARCH, APRIL & MAY ANNOUNCEMENTS
May 27, 2020
It's a week of Wedding Anniversaries!!
(May 26) Happy 47th Anniversary Pastor and First Lady Kemp!
(May 27) Happy Anniversary to Minister and Deaconess Williams
and to Deacon & Deaconess Saxon
HAPPY GRADUATION!!
Ryan Cail (Grandson of Ms. Bertha Vaughn) graduated from Georgia Southern University on May 9th with a B.B.S in Marketing. Congratulations!!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
__ Romans 15:13 NIV
August 12, 2020
A joyful heart makes a cheerful face…
__ Proverbs 15:13, New American Standard Bible
Last week was a loooong week. I was tired and I am positive that I looked visibly tired. HOWEVER, my joy was still intact and unintentionally, so was my smile! Sometimes, we need a reminder that regardless of our situation or how we feel, it is our duty as the children of God to just keep pressing forward with hope and joy and then, God’s glory will shine through.
My reminder of this came during my third Zoom video meeting of the day. I received a compliment and my first thought was, “quick turn off the camera before they see how tired you look!” And, then I was reminded, although it had been a long week and I felt tired, I still had joy. And, when we have joy on the inside, it will shine through. Never forget, even as children of God, we are going to get tired, but we are blessed and because of that, there is always a reason to smile!
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance...
__ Proverbs 15:13, King James Version
In case, you need a smile pick-me-up, here’s one of my favorite songs that always leaves me joyful and smiling: YOU https://youtu.be/MGDUP4KlSPg
July 1, 2020
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. __Romans 15:13
June 24, 2020
CONGRATULATIONS! Jeffrey Williams passed his professional counseling licensing exam and was approved for LPC licensure in Virginia on June 11, 2020.
MARCH, APRIL & MAY ANNOUNCEMENTS
May 27, 2020
It's a week of Wedding Anniversaries!!
(May 26) Happy 47th Anniversary Pastor and First Lady Kemp!
(May 27) Happy Anniversary to Minister and Deaconess Williams
and to Deacon & Deaconess Saxon
HAPPY GRADUATION!!
Ryan Cail (Grandson of Ms. Bertha Vaughn) graduated from Georgia Southern University on May 9th with a B.B.S in Marketing. Congratulations!!
A Word of Encouragment
On behalf of Pastor Kemp, First Lady Kemp and the leadership team of BMBC, please remember that although "church services" are postponed, the "church" is NEVER on delay. We, as Christians, are the Church. And, as the Church, we encourage you to pray without ceasing, to love and encourage one another during this time, and to never forget that God is ALWAYS in charge.
During the next few weeks, we encourage everyone to make time to sit with God, talk with Him and hear His direction and plan for your life. Remember, 11am on Sunday mornings are typically filled with people awaiting an audience with God. But in truth, God is always available and the arms of Jesus are always open to you: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days of the year, awaiting an audience with each of us.
Count your blessings. Be a blessing. And, never stop praising God.
With love,
Rev. Dr. Stacie
P.S. Don't forget to read the Daily Devotional!
On behalf of Pastor Kemp, First Lady Kemp and the leadership team of BMBC, please remember that although "church services" are postponed, the "church" is NEVER on delay. We, as Christians, are the Church. And, as the Church, we encourage you to pray without ceasing, to love and encourage one another during this time, and to never forget that God is ALWAYS in charge.
During the next few weeks, we encourage everyone to make time to sit with God, talk with Him and hear His direction and plan for your life. Remember, 11am on Sunday mornings are typically filled with people awaiting an audience with God. But in truth, God is always available and the arms of Jesus are always open to you: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days of the year, awaiting an audience with each of us.
Count your blessings. Be a blessing. And, never stop praising God.
With love,
Rev. Dr. Stacie
P.S. Don't forget to read the Daily Devotional!
ADDITIONAL ZOOM LOG-IN NUMBERS
If the lines are busy on any of the dial-in numbers listed on our homepage, please try one of the numbers below. The location shows where the number's area code is located and should not impact your ability to use the number. ----------------------------------- +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) +1 267 831 0333 US (Philadelphia) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 470 250 9358 US (Atlanta) +1 470 381 2552 US (Atlanta) +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) +1 651 372 8299 US (St. Paul) +1 786 635 1003 US (Miami) April 29, 2020 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. _ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) In the last few months, we have been taken into captivity, away from our normal day-to-day lives. We have become subjected to a new relationship with our government, filled with ever changing governmental mandates. Some have suffered devastating personal losses. Even the physical sanctuary of our churches is no longer safe. In these last few months, have you wondered when and how will the captivity by COVID-19 end? Often, Jeremiah 29:11 is quoted as an individual promise. However, in actuality, it is a promise to a nation in captivity. Many of the people of Jerusalem were in captivity in Babylon due to the sins of Judah. The exiles wondered when and how their captivity would end. Today, I want to remind you that there is always more to the story and there is more to Jeremiah 29, much more than verse 11 or what I can tell in this one word of encouragement. Nevertheless, that “more”, is relevant to us today. God is reminding us, just as he reminded Jerusalem, that He has not forgotten us. Instead, He is still in charge of everything that is happening and that as the people of God, we must continue to live our lives in hope and expectation (Jeremiah 29: 4-7) of His promises. Regardless of how long – this captivity will end as the fulfillment of His plan (Jeremiah 29:10), at the appropriate time that He has already determined. Whether your true captivity today is physical (stay-in-place) or spiritual, know that there is deliverance for those who call upon the name of the Lord, repent and submit their will to His will. During this time of captivity, I rejoice in the deliverance that is coming for those of us who wait upon the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). God is in charge. God has a plan. And, God's plan promises peace (prosperity), no harm, hope and a future for His children! That’s good news! April 22, 2020 Currently, social media is the key to keeping us connected. But, what will you gain if you have 3000 friends on Facebook and are followed by 2 million people on Instagram, but you haven't Friended Jesus and haven't decided to follow him? I'm glad that Jesus calls me friend and I'm striving to be the type of friend that he would be proud to be associated with. How about you? Don't allow social distancing and social media to distract you from what it really means to be a friend of Jesus and a friend to your fellow man. And just in case you haven't been told the words "I love you" today, I love you (John 15:17). The Jesus in me, loves the Jesus in you. Wishing you blessings, my friend. John 15: 13-15 (KJV) 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. ------------------------------------------------------ April 17, 2020 We're on Facebook! Click the Facebook Icon to view our new page! |
-April 15, 2020
On this traditional date of tax collection, I am reminded of a portion of Matthew 22:21, ..."Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Never forget, that the most powerful portion of that verse is the reminder to first give God what is God's. Today, have you recognized Jesus for who he is? Verses 19 - 20 wanted Jesus to recognize Ceasar, but the people didn't seem to recognize the Son of God. So, today, have you recognized Jesus and given God your heart, your time, your praise, and more?? Although the government has extended the tax deadline to July 15th, I encourage you to choose today to render (give) "unto God the things that are God's." Just a thought. ----------------------------------------- April 8, 2020 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all me unto me." __John 12:32 While sitting quietly in these moments of social isolation, we pray that you remember that you are never isolated from the Lord, unless you choose to be. Jesus died on the cross to draw us closer to him. This Easter and in this season of reflection, it is time to remember Jesus's sacrifice and why we have hope even in the darkest days and current situations that we face. He is risen! Amen. March 29, 2020
Message from National Baptist Convention regarding COVID-19. https://www.facebook.com/nationalbaptistconvention/videos/505027313505285/ |