Bethany was blessed with a spiritual meeting this past May 15-17 starting Friday night with a good song service and a good congregation, considering there were some other events that conflicted with some being able to attend. We were blessed with many visitors from sister churches and Elder Josh Winslett was blessed to preach from John 3:14-15: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so the son of man must be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The gospel lifts up the Jesus that they may know and have assurance they will never perish. He showed some parallels between Moses and Christ.
The church was honored with a blessed ordination of Brother David Wise to the office of Elder and work of the ministry on Saturday afternoon. See another post on the ordination itself. After enjoying a supper of Barbecue and other goodies and wonderful fellowship, we were blessed with more good singing and visitation followed by an excellent message from John chapter 15:1-8 by Elder Josh Winslett. Elder Winslett focused this message on what do we do with the gospel after we have heard it to serve the Lord and abide in the vine of Jesus Christ for fellowship and gospel blessings.
We had a blessed service Sunday Morning with openings remarks from Elder David Wise of the subject of “In Remembrance of Me” which is engraved on the communion table. We do what we do in remembrance of Him which should be every day and not just this day. Bro. Larry Wise followed with a short message of “fellowship” from Acts 2:42 as apostles continued steadfastly in apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. After a short intermission, the church enter into Communion in partaking of the Lord’s Supper with the unleavened bread and wine which was once again explained by Bro. Larry Wise, the pastor.
After serving the bread and wine to those present which were about 37 people in total of brothers and sisters, the church observed the washing of the saint’s feet after scriptural explanation and explanation by Bro. Larry from John chapter 13. Bro. Larry washed the feet of his son, Joseph, as this was his first communion. It was a blessing to see other dad’s and sons wash one another’s
feet as well as grandson and grandfather. Mothers and daughters also washed one another’s feet. The service was dismissed with many spiritual embraces and expressions of love for one another. May the Lord be praised.–May 18, 2015–Elder Larry Wise
