Bethany was indeed blessed with a wonderful Spirit filled May Communion meeting. We had a large congregation on Friday night with great visitation from sister churches and message by Elder Michael Gowens. We had another large congregation on Saturday night and the preceding fish upper was attended by the largest we have had in a few years. Once again the singing was excellent and the preaching very up lifting as we awaited Sunday’s final service. We had several missing on Sunday but had a good singing before the message by Bro. Gowens. His message was followed by the Lord’s Supper with the taking of the unleavened bread and wine and the washing of the saint’s feet. We had lunch and fellowship to follow.
The Friday night message from Elder Michael Gowens was from Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” on “Paul the Christian.” Paul’s life was now dedicated to serving the Lord and that is his goal; to be the Christian that would always honor the Lord. He wrote Philippinas while in a Roman prison but the Lord can visit his children wherever they are. Whatever situation we are in, we can have the Lord come and visit us and give us strength to press on and forget those things which are behind.
Elder Gowens message on Saturday night was entitled “One legitimate fear” using as the subject the wild Gararenen Mark 5 that met Jesus who had his dwelling among the tombs. His was possessed with unclean spirits and no man could tame him. Jesus could cast them out by just speaking to them as He did for the disciples who were so fearful in the storm and awoke Jesus asking if He cared that they perish. He rebuked the wind and there was once again a calm. They had forgotten Jesus had told them “Let us pass to the other side of the lake.” Whatever demon that may have us possessed, Jesus is able to solve the problem and cast the problem aside or give us the strength to overcome. We need not fear if Jesus is near and in the ship with us.
The Sunday message from Elder Gowens was from Psalm 95 on a “Call to Worship.” WE need to come and worship the king. We need to come and sing praises unto Him. We need to come and be thankful. We need to come and worship the great God of our salvation. We need to gather in the assembly of the saints . We need to come boldly and enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus who is our high priest. We need not a high priest as the Israelites of old. There isn’t a god as Great as our God because He is the God of gods.
Here are a few scenes from the services on Friday night through Sunday morning and more on the May Communion Page.
