Don’t Give Up
With baseball coming on the horizon, I was remembering a bizarro play in my last year of church league softball. I was at shortstop and our opponents had a guy on first. The batter hit a ground ball right to me … which I flubbed. When I gathered the ball, I was sure I had no play, at second or first, but noticed the lead runner wasn’t even close to the bag. So, I tossed the ball to second to get him out.
Clearly, we’d have no chance at getting the batter out, but, strangely, didn’t see anyone running to first. We threw it to first to complete a double play. Turns out the runner at first had an injured hamstring so he was skipping more than running. Simultaneously, the batter slipped after hitting the ball and fell flat on his back and just gave up. I went from being frustrated by committing an error to starting one of the slowest double-plays ever.
In our lives, too, we’re all prone to making errors or, more directly, sin. And we can be tempted to allow guilt and shame to stop us. After we have blown it with God, why would he have anything to do with us? But then Jesus does this bizarro thing. While we were still sinners, He died for us, demonstrating God’s love for us (Romans 5:8). It is hard for us to comprehend such extravagant grace. And yet that is the offer of Easter: You blew it. Now face it, confess it, and move on and enjoy His love for you.
Pastor Rick
CHURCH NEWS
*** If you have a need or know of someone in need, please call Janet Hanlin (920-535-0021), who represents Bethel’s Deacons. We can help!
*** The Giving Option is live on Bethel’s website: http://www.islandbethelchurch.com.
*** Sunday School: Mike Thielke continues his study, “Acknowledging God” at 9:30 a.m.
*** Sunday Service at 10:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Pastor Rick begins his study of “The Last Words of Christ”.
*** Easter Sunrise service begins at 6:28 a.m. at Percy Johnson Park, Sunday March 31st.
*** Bethel Youth Group: Middle School students (grades 5-8) will meet Mondays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at church. Any questions please ask Leila Nehlsen or Hannah Dusik.
*** Senior High Youth Group will meet Sundays at 4:00 p.m. at Tom and Michele Jordan’s,1481 Main Road.
*** Ladies’ Evening Bible study will meet Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. We will be going through a series by Ann Graham Lotz on Revelation. Please contact Michelle Griggs regarding interest and information at 317-696-0997.
*** Ladies’ Afternoon Bible study Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. The study is on Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkins. Please contact Betty Lou at 920-396-0267 regarding interest and information.
*** Men’s Bible Study: Doug Hansen is hosting this study at his place at 7:00 a.m. Tuesdays. Address: 1258 Deer Run.
*** Men’s Breakfast: Saturday March 9th at 8:00 a.m. Bring a buddy and enjoy some great food and fellowship. Pastor Rick will enrich us with a message geared to guys.
*** Book Club read: The next discussion will be March 18th at 6:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall. The book is “The Outside Boy” by Jeanine Cummins.
*** Chicken Trivia Night: Monday, March 11th at 6:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall, Bethel Builders will host a Ladies’ Night Out. This means, All Things Chicken!! There will be food and games. Invite a friend to join you for a fun evening of fellowship.
*** Ladies’ breakfast: on Saturday, April 6th. More details to follow.
*** Prayer and Worship evening on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Next one is Sunday March 17th starting at 7:00 p.m.
*** Volunteers interested in working with the VBS committee to bring this incredible program to our Island youth should plan on attending our first meeting on Wednesday March 20th.
*** Lars Eric Svensson, 95, of Woodstock, IL, passed away peacefully from this world into the arms of his heavenly father. Lars will be remembered as a strong man of faith who loved to serve missionaries worldwide, building churches, orphanages, clinics, and homes for the people who needed it the most. Lars created Laymen Committed to Missions to encourage other contractors to share their skills with him on the mission field. His book, Love Has No Boundaries, describes his work and deep love for others.
COMMUNITY NEWS
*** WICHP Hours are Tue. 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wed. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Fridays 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. WICHP at 920-847-2108.
*** Caregiver Support Group: meets Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the WICHP office at Trinity.
*** Blood Pressure Clinic: Tuesday March 12th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon in the Trinity Fellowship Hall.
*** Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation: Wednesday March 13th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon in the Rec Center Mosling Room.
*** WICHP Luncheon: Thursday March 21st from Noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Trinity Fellowship Hall. Presenters Emily Small and Matt Kokes. Topic: Our “New” Island Radio. For reservations call 920-847-2108 or email wichp77@gmail.com or wichppromgr@gmail.com by Tuesday March 19th at 3:00 p.m.
*** Lions Club is selling Roses this Spring. $16.00 a dozen. The last date to order is March 28th. Delivery April 19th and 20th.
Bethel Tidings 