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Welcome to Bethel PCA in Lake Charles! Come and join us every Sunday

The Lord’s Supper was established by Christ. Just before the crucifixion Jesus met with His disciples in the upper room to celebrate the Passover. During the meal He broke bread and shared it with them, explaining that this would remind them of His own body broken for them on the cross. He then offered them wine to drink, to remind them of His blood shed to wash away their sins.This shedding of blood also sealed a new covenant between God and all followers of Christ. The following Bible verses record how the Lord’s Supper began: Matthew 26:26, Luke 22:17; 1 Corinthians 11:23.The Jewish Passover was the forerunner of the Lord’s Supper. In it the Jews remembered how their lives had been saved because the blood of a lamb had been sprinkled on the doorposts of their houses (Exodus 12). In the Lord’s Supper Christians remember how they have been saved because the blood of Christ has been sprinkled for them. There is therefore a strong link between the Passover and the Lord’s Supper (1 Peter 1:18-21).Christians continue to celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly because Jesus Himself has commanded it. In the Lord’s Supper Christ’s death is remembered, His risen presence is experienced and faith and devotion to Him are renewed.The Lord&#x27;s Supper is a sacrament. A sacrament is a visual aid which illustrates and confirms the spiritual truths and promises contained in the gospel. In the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper the bread represents Christ’s body broken on the cross, and the wine His blood shed for the forgiveness of sin. By participating in the Lord’s Supper we share by faith in the living Christ and all the benefits of His death. A sacrament is meaningless without faith. Those who come to the Lord’s Supper should have faith in Christ as the One who has died for their sins. <a href="https://www.pcaac.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ShorterCatechismwithScriptureProofs.pdf" target="_blank">Read questions 91, 92, 93, 96 and 97 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism</a>.The Meaning of Christ’s DeathIn the Lord’s Supper we remember Christ’s death for sinners. The Bible teaches us many wonderful things about the death of Christ and its benefits for believers. Take time to consider each of the following: First of all, in Old Testament times the sins of God’s people were forgiven through the sacrifice of a lamb without spot or blemish. By His death, Christ, the Lamb of God, sacrificed himself once and for all to take away sin. (Hebrews 9:26).Second, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from every sin (1 John 1:7). This means that sins, past and present, are forgiven as we confess them to God. Christ’s cleansing blood makes believers fit to come to God and to the Lord’s table.Third, in ancient times a slave could be set free when a ransom price was paid. This process was called ‘Redemption’. The slave was now free to live a new life. The person who provided redemption was called the ‘Redeemer’. Christ, by His death on the cross, paid the ransom price for us. Every Christian has been freed from slavery to sin and now lives a new life in Christ, their Redeemer (Ephesians 1:7, 1Peter 1:18-19).Last, sin has broken that personal relationship which originally existed between God and man. By His death on the cross, Christ removes our sins and reconciles us to God. A new relationship with God begins (Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18). Sharing in the Lord’s SupperWe make preparations for all sorts of events in life. It is very important that we prepare ourselves for this special act of worship. Self-examination should always precede our coming to the Lord’s table (1 Cor. 11:28). The Lord&#x27;s Supper means:REMEMBRANCE: In the Lord’s Supper communicant members remember Jesus and His death for their sins, “He loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, Luke 22:19).THANKSGIVING: At the Lord’s Supper communicants are filled with thanksgiving and praise for all the benefits they have received as a result of Christ’s death.TESTIMONY: Through the Lord’s Supper communicants give public testimony that Christ has died for their sins and that they now follow Him as Lord (Psalm 116:13-14).COMMUNION: Christians hold communion with God and with one another. In the Lord’s Supper communicants meet with Christ and Christ with them. Through the Holy Spirit, the risen Christ, the living Lord, is really present with His people as they meet around His table (Revelation 3:20, Hebrews 10:19, 22).NOURISHMENT: In the Lord’s Supper communicants receive nourishment for their own souls. This does not come from the bread and wine, but from Christ Himself. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35).EXPECTATION: Sharing in the Lord’s Supper is an enriching experience; for this special meal points forward to the return of Christ and to the bliss of heaven (1 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 3:20). Who Should Come to the Lord’s Table?Sharing in the Lord’s Supper is for those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ into their lives. They recognize that they are sinners in the sight of a holy and perfect God and believe that Christ has died for the forgiveness of their sins. In repentance and faith, they have come to Christ for salvation, have committed their lives to Christ and recognized Him as Lord.The person who comes to the Lord’s table must be a person who has first come to Christ. Those who have come to Christ will not be perfect, but they will be conscious that the Lord is in their lives and that life is different with Christ. The Westminster Shorter Catechism is helpful in explaining what it means to come to Christ: “Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, by which we receive and rest on Him alone for salvation, as He is offered to us in the gospel.” (Question 86).According to the Book of Church Order (BCO) of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), “Communing members are those who have made a profession of faith in Christ, have been baptized, and have been admitted by the Session to the Lord&#x27;s Table.” (BCO 6- 2).It means that, before being admitted to the Lord’s Supper, one needs to be approved by the Session, after having given indication of their desire to participate, and be formally received into full membership of the church. And, “those only who have made a profession of faith in Christ, have been baptized, and admitted by the Session to the Lord&#x27;s Table, are entitled to all the rights and privileges of the church.” (BCO 6-4). BCO 57-1. Believers’ children within the Visible Church, and especially those dedicated to God in Baptism, are non-communing members under the care of the Church. They are to be taught to love God, and to obey and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. When they are able to understand the Gospel, they should be earnestly reminded that they are members of the Church by birth right, and that it is their duty and privilege personally to accept Christ, to confess Him before men, and to seek admission to the Lord’s Supper.BCO 57-2. The time when young persons come to understand the Gospel cannot be precisely fixed. This must be left to the prudence of the Session, whose office it is to judge, after careful examination, the qualifications of those who apply for admission to sealing ordinances.BCO 57-4. It is recommended, as edifying and proper, that baptized persons, when admitted by the Session to the Lord’s Supper, make a public profession of their faith in the presence of the congregation.It is essential that those who come to the Lord’s table understand exactly what the Lord’s Supper means and what is required of those who share in it. The Westminster Shorter Catechism is a useful guide. It says, “The right way to receive the Lord’s Supper is to examine whether we discern the Lord’s body, whether our faith feeds on Him, and whether we have repentance, love, and a new obedience – so that we may not come in the wrong way and eat and drink judgement on ourselves.” (Q.97).Sharing in the Lord’s Supper on profession of faith in Christ is an important step for anyone. Talk to some of the elders of our church to know more about the steps to become a communicant member.

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On the Lord's Supper

Confessional Resources<ul><li><a href="https://pcanet.org" target="_blank">Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.pcaac.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/WCFScripureProofs2022.pdf" target="_blank">The Westminster Confession of Faith</a></li><li><a href="https://www.pcaac.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/LargerCatechismwithScriptureProofs1.pdf" target="_blank">The Westminster Larger Catechism (Part 1: Questions 1–115)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.pcaac.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Larger-CatechismwithScriptureProofs2.pdf" target="_blank">The Westminster Larger Catechism (Part 2: Questions 116–196)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.pcaac.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ShorterCatechismwithScriptureProofs.pdf" target="_blank">The Westminster Shorter Catechism</a></li><li><a href="https://prts.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Heidelberg-Catechism-with-Intro.pdf" target="_blank">The Heidelberg Catechism</a></li><li><a href="https://missionworldview.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ea8a85_5a1caff0ac624e25bcf5b43eda999fb7.pdf" target="_blank">Our World Belongs to God Catechism</a></li><li><a href="http://newcitycatechism.com" target="_blank">The New City Catechism</a></li></ul>

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Resources

J. Gresham Machen said, “In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt to be the things that are least worth holding; the really important things are the things about which men will fight.” If Machen is right, and I think he is, then it is because baptism is very important that Christians often disagree about it. To be sure, debates about baptism are intramural, but they help us understand the distinctives of various Christian traditions. In this way, they also help us understand our brothers and sisters in Christ.The Reformed view is summarized in the confessional documents of the Presbyterian and Continental Reformed churches: the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms for the former, and the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort for the latter. These documents lay out a view of baptism that is distinctly different from the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Baptist views. This view can be understood under three headings: the meaning of baptism, the recipients of baptism, and the mode of baptism.The Meaning of BaptismBaptism is the rite of initiation into the visible church, which consists of all those who possess faith in Christ, along with their children (<a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%202%3A39/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Acts 2:39</a>; WCF 25.2; 28.1). In administering baptism, the church exercises obedience to Christ’s command to “make disciples . . . baptizing them” (<a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2028%3A19/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Matt. 28:19</a>).Baptism is a visible word, a sign act whereby Christ and His benefits are shown forth to believers and applied to them (WCF 27.1). Over against the Baptist view, the Reformed view asserts that something actually happens in baptism—grace is actually conferred to worthy recipients—and over against the Roman Catholic and Lutheran views, the Reformed view asserts that baptism does not regenerate; nor does it work through the automatic efficacy of the sacrament itself or in the precise moment of its administration. Instead, baptism works through the operation of the Spirit in His people, meaning that it can either precede faith or follow it (<a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%203%3A8/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">John 3:8</a>; WCF 28.6).The sacrament is a sign and seal of cleansing from sin and ingrafting to Christ (WCF 28.1). It is not simply an outward sign of an inward change; it is an act of God, a solemn promise to apply to worthy recipients the benefits signified in the sacrament—namely, the promises of God’s covenant.The Recipients of BaptismAnyone who comes to faith as an adult and who has never received a valid baptism should be baptized (Westminster Larger Catechism 167). On this, all sides agree; Presbyterians as much as Baptists will baptize adult converts. But the Reformed view, over against the Baptist view, is that the children of at least one believer should be baptized as well (WCF 28.4).Under the old covenant, children were considered members of the covenant community and were granted the sign of initiation into that covenant, which was circumcision (<a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%2017%3A9%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Gen. 17:9–14</a>). Under the new covenant, the substance of the one overarching covenant of grace has not changed; only the administration has (<a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%202%3A11%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Col. 2:11–12</a>; WLC 35). Therefore, the children of believers are to receive the sign of initiation, which is now baptism (<a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%202%3A38%E2%80%9339/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Acts 2:38–39</a>).The Mode of BaptismProtestants agree that ordinary water is to be used in the sacrament, but they disagree on how it is to be used. The Baptist view of baptism asserts that immersion is the only valid mode of baptism, based partly on the meaning of the Greek word baptizō, which, it is said, means “to dip” or “to immerse.” Baptizō, however, cannot and does not always mean “to immerse” (see, e.g., <a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%207%3A4/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Mark 7:4</a> [“washing” = baptizō]; <a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%202%3A41/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Acts 2:41</a>; <a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%206%3A3/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Rom. 6:3</a>). In the Baptist view, immersion—going down into and coming up out of the water—is said to best picture the death and resurrection of Christ, but this misses the fact that in ancient Israel the dead were buried horizontally, in caves and such, rather than vertically as in the soft ground of North America.The Reformed view, over against the Baptist view, sees immersion as nonessential and instead sees affusion—sprinkling or pouring—as a better picture of what baptism signifies (<a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%2010%3A22/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Heb. 10:22</a>; WCF 28.3). Various passages speak of the Holy Spirit as “coming upon,” “falling upon,” or being “poured out” on believers (see, e.g., <a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%201%3A8%3B%202%3A3%2C%2017%3B%2011%3A15%E2%80%9316/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Acts 1:8; 2:3, 17; 11:15–16</a>). When the Holy Spirit falls on someone in this way, it means He is regenerating him and working faith in him. This is baptism of the Holy Spirit—salvation (<a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%203%3A11/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Matt. 3:11</a>; <a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%202%3A33/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Acts 2:33</a>; <a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%201%3A13%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank" class="esv-crossref-link">Eph. 1:13–14</a>; WLC 165). Therefore, it makes sense for the baptism of water to imitate the baptism of the Holy Spirit.To summarize, the Reformed view understands baptism to be a sacrament that was instituted by Christ and is properly administered to those who are in the visible church, along with their children.– Kevin Gardner, What Is the Presbyterian and Reformed View of Baptism?

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On Baptism

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The Bible is the inspired word of God. It is without error in its original manuscripts, and contains everything we need to know about having a right relationship with God and our fellow human beings. The Bible is the basis for all of our essential beliefs (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

God is one (Mark 12:29), yet mysteriously exists in three Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), who are to be equally loved, honored, and surrendered to (Matthew 28:19).

Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human. He is the sole Mediator able to restore the broken relationship, and the resulting alienation, between God and people (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. He is alive and active. He indwells followers of Christ, working in unison with the Word of God to guide them in all truth. He is the power that enables Christians to live as new creations in Christ and empowers believers for service (John 16:7-14; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 6:17).

People are created by God and in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). On this basis, all people must be treated with dignity, honor, love and respect (James 3:9-10). At the same time, in their quest for independence and the centrality of self, all people begin their lives alienated from God, and in this condition are without hope and under judgment, a condition that can only be cured through God’s loving, gracious, and saving intervention (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1). As the image of God, we are most alive when our trust, affections and allegiances center on Him.

Restoration between God and people (also called ‘salvation’) happens when the Holy Spirit gives people a new heart, leading and enabling them to trust in Jesus alone for salvation (John 1:12-13). Because God loves His creation, He will also restore the entire universe to a condition of beauty, rest, joy, perfection, and freedom (Romans 8:18-30). God’s world, which began as a promising Garden (Genesis 1:27-31), will find its fulfillment in a perfected, life-giving City in which there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:1-8).

Good works do not and cannot make us acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8-9), but are the natural outcome of authentic faith in Jesus (James 2:17). We become more fully human—the very best and most healthy version of ourselves—to the degree that we follow God’s loving commands. His commands, properly understood, are neither limiting nor oppressive but life-giving. Obedience to God’s commands is an essential prerequisite for true human flourishing.

The Church is the family of God and consists of those who place their functional trust (faith) in Jesus. God wants all members of His worldwide Church, together with their children, to be active in a local church which meets regularly to worship God, serve each other, and be a life-giving presence in their local community and world (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25).

We believe that God has created men (male) and women (female) equal in their essential dignity and human personhood, but different and complementary in their functions; He also created marriage to be exclusively the covenant union of one man (male) and one woman (female), and designed intimate sexual activity to occur exclusively within that covenant union.

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(337) 478-5672

2040 E. McNeese Street
Lake Charles, LA 70605

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Wednesday Night Live provides activities for everyone in our congregation. Here’s what you can look forward to:

- 6:00 - 6:30pm: POTLUCK MEAL. This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to bring a dish to share and connect with one another in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

- 6:30 - 7:30pm: MINISTRY ACTIVITIES:

 •	Children’s Choir (up to 11 years old): The children will gather in the sanctuary to learn songs and hymns to sing at our Christmas and Easter services.

 •	Youth Discipleship (Ages 12-18): Our youth will meet  in the Fellowship Hall for Bible study and discipleship.

 •	Adult Prayer and Discipleship: Adults will gather in one of the classrooms for prayer and discipleship led by Pastor Thiago.

Wednesday Night Live

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Ben Hogue

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Thiago Silva

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Jared Oakley

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Jason Rashall

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Rick Condit

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Tony Lebato

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Tom Keith

Aaron Smith

Matt Scott

Joshua Keith

Jimmy Guillory

<blockquote>&quot;He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?&quot; – Micah 6:8</blockquote>We work to restore the biblical concept of Manhood, and challenge men today to take their positions as priests of the home and head of the family. Our desire is to see mature men who takes the responsibility to serve God in every sphere of life, and love his family wholeheartedly.As a church we want to provide a healthy space where men can come together to talk, pray, encourage one another, and grow together as mature followers of Christ. We provide two opportunities for all men to come together:1 - MEN&#x27;S BREAKFAST:Every Thursday, 7:30AM at the Great Harvest Bread (4112 Lake St., #100). Join us for a time of devotion, prayer, and fellowship.2 - PIZZA THEOLOGY:Every last Friday of each month, 6:00-7:30PM at Bethel Presbyterian Church. This is an opportunity for all men to come together to eat pizza and talk about theology.Coordinator: Pr. Thiago Silva (pcabethel@gmail.com)

Women&#x27;s Ministry at Bethel is a Word-based and Relationally-driven ministry.Women&#x27;s ministry is a great place to provide mentoring and encouragement to women of all ages, naturally putting Titus 2:3–5 into practice:<blockquote>Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.</blockquote>Women aren’t a separate entity but a unique part of a larger whole. We have the privilege of working alongside our church leadership to carry out Bethel’s mission. We believe that ministry is a lifestyle and is therefore incorporated into all aspects of life: our homes, church, work, neighbors and the various communities we live in. We desire to equip all women, young, younger and young at heart, for ministry through Biblical teaching and training that glorifies Christ. We also recognize the importance of being intentional in spending time together, building a foundation for true, Christ-centered community. Women’s gatherings are a strategic and meaningful way that our church can help women to know Jesus and to make him known.Join us every month at our Ladies Sip and Savor. Every second Saturday of each month, from 9:30-11:00AM at Bethel Presbyterian Church. These meetings are focused on studying the Word, prayer, edification, evangelization, counseling, communion, integration, care, and support for one another.Would you like more information? Contact us at pcabethel@gmail.com.

The Bible refers to the church in many different ways. But, first and foremost, she is the body of Christ. The church, in this definition, is the spiritual organism composed of mutually interdependent parts, which are its members. Our union with Christ makes us members of Christ&#x27;s body and members of one another (Rom. 12:5). Interestingly, in the New Testament there are more imperatives that refer to our relationship with each other than our duties in the world or even our relationship with God. This implies that my relationship with the Lord is measured by my relationships with other Christians more than any other factor (1 John 3:23; 4:7, 20).Therefore, we must take seriously the fact that we are members of one another. But do we know what that means? The membership rolls of our churches seem more like a formality than the reality God intended. Biblically, membership means life shared together. Another word to describe the church is koinonia, which indicates a corporate or communal nature that is absolutely essential to its true being. The church does not exist, it cannot develop without community life. The natural expression of Christ&#x27;s life in the believer leads him to gather together with other believers (Acts 2:44, 46) and to resist the temptation to stop gathering together (Heb. 10:25). Any believer, therefore, who fails to experience the intimate life of communion with his/her brothers and sisters, fails to experience the church as the body of Christ.It is when the church is gathered together—whether as a small group in a home (Rom 16:3-5) or in corporate celebration in a building (Acts 3:1)—that the “life of the Body” can best be expressed in a way that fulfills the words of Scripture. who say, &quot;Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.&quot; (Eph. 4:15-16).The Purpose of Church MembershipThe purpose of church membership is for Christians to encourage and help one another to express the life of Christ; and that in this way they demonstrate the love and unity which should characterize the people of God.Paul, writing in 1 Corinthians 12, records that each member of the body is needed by the others, consequently, by the entire church. God wanted all the needs of His people met. For this reason, He imparted to His children special skills and abilities. That is, through the Holy Spirit, God distributed gifts and talents to His church. The needs of each are best met in an environment where fellowship is well developed.Two basic elements define the purpose of membership:1. Mutuality: We can say that mutuality is a lifestyle in tune with the New Testament commands regarding what Christians should do to each other to express their love and unity. This attitude produces a healthy, vigorous church that will naturally impact the world. The result is that this local congregation achieves the main goal: to glorify God (Rom. 11:36).2. Exercise of spiritual gifts: In this basic manifestation of the life of the body, the members maintain fellowship with one another by the exercising of the gifts they have been given to serve one another (1 Pet. 4:10). One of the ways we build ourselves up is through the practice of spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts become vital and practical when they are awakened, recognized, and practiced within the life of a living Christian community (Eph. 4:15-16).Key Characteristics of Church MembershipFar from allowing the idea of isolated disciples, or &quot;unchurched&quot; believers, this is what the Lord Jesus says: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35).Mutuality expresses the love ordained by Christ. The concept of church membership emphasizes some vital characteristics:1. Church members value relationships<ul><li>Love one another (John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 4:8)</li><li>Subject to one another (Eph. 5:21)</li><li>Support one another (Col. 3:13)</li><li>Mutually confess their sins to one another (James 5:16)</li></ul>2. Church members contribute to the maturity of each other<ul><li>Build one another up (Romans 14:19)</li><li>Instruct one another (Col. 3:16)</li><li>They counsel one another (Col. 3:16)</li><li>Share psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19)</li></ul>3. Church members help each other<ul><li>Serve one another (1 Peter 4:10)</li><li>Bear one another&#x27;s burdens (Galatians 6:2)</li><li>Are mutually hospitable (1 Peter 4:9)</li><li>Are kind to one another (Col. 3:12)</li><li>Pray for one another (James 5:16)</li></ul>The goal of every Christian is to live in community. Every day more and more believers are discovering that they cannot be Christians on their own. Christians do not have the strength to live up to their divine calling to the Kingdom, except when they share life together in community.Steps to become a member at Bethel Presbyterian Church:1 - Understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and God&#x27;s plan of salvation: <a href="https://pcanet.org/about-the-pca-2/">click here</a>.2 - Know who we are and what we believe: <a href="/who-we-are">click here</a>3 - Study our membership vows found in the Presbyterian Church in America’s <a href="http://www.pcaac.org/resources/bco/">Book of Church Order</a> (section 57-5):<ul><li>Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?</li><li>Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?</li><li>Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?</li><li>Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?</li><li>Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?</li></ul>4 - Meet with the elders of the church._______________________ * If you want to understand more about what it means to be a church member in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), <a href="https://www.twopathways.org/p/church-membership-in-the-pca#footnote-anchor-1">click here</a>.* If you want to become a member of Bethel PCA, <a href="/connect">click here and send us a message</a>.

<blockquote>Jesus tells his disciples to “Go …and make disciples of all nations.” </blockquote>In worship, mission is given, directed, enabled, and finally initiated. It involves both worship and action. As God&#x27;s people we gather for worship and then, we are sent and prepared for God&#x27;s mission in the world.Missions takes place in a world that was created good but is now fallen and lives in sin and disobedience against God and is consequently under judgment. However, sin and evil were not able to dethrone God who promised to deliver man and the world. This promise was fulfilled in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ in whom the kingdom came to earth. It is through the church that this work of Christ is continued. He builds his church by His Word and Spirit. This church brings the gospel in a world, that, though it is under judgment, does know the concern of God. The church proclaims the new life and reality that is to be found in Christ and the kingdom in word and deed.Missions is that action of the church over the whole wide world—which in the deepest sense is an action of Christ himself—whereby she calls the peoples of this world in all their diversity to faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ, and to show them in the signs of our service, how the salvation of Christ encompasses the whole of life, and to teach them at the same time to look with hopeful expectation to the completion of the kingdom when God will be all in all. (J. H. Bavinck)The church as occupying a very special place within a nation and within world history. According to its inner nature, the church stands outside that great world union that originated with the fall in paradise and culminates in that terrible kingdom of man—the kingdom of Antichrist. The church works in the service of another and lives from another principle. At the same time, the church stands in the midst of this world and has a responsibility in it. The church is separated from the world. It lives from a different root than humanity as a whole: It belongs to a different age. However, the church is not indifferent to life in this world. It cannot forsake this world or be unfaithful to it because, until the last day, the church will see this world as the place of God’s impossible possibilities where he can include many in his plan of salvation. In that plan of salvation, the church is an instrument in the hand of God because Jesus says, “As the Father sent me so send I you.”A church in mission is first of all a church that proclaims the gospel of him who is the light of the world. In this, the Word aspect remains central. This is how the church stays relevant in and for the world even though the world may not recognize this as such. Apart from the gospel, the church has little to offer to the world. At the same time, because of the gospel and its effects, the reality of the shalom of the kingdom can be experienced in the midst of a sinful and broken world.With this conviction, at Bethel Presbyterian Church we want to impact locally and globally, bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to our city and the world. The Missions Committee is the global arm of our local church. We are the liaison between our missionaries and our members. Bethel PCA supports mission work in Peru, Germany and Spain, and is committed to praying for, financially supporting and sending missionaries to help fulfill the Great Commission.Coordinator: Mary Condit (<a href="mailto:marycondit@gmail.com">marycondit@gmail.com</a>)

As we have described in our order of worship, the worship service narrates the story of redemption, and in this aspect it has an anticipatory character, that is, we enjoy elements of eternity that we have not yet fully experienced here. For this reason, the Church, gathered for worship, is directed to a continuation of the worship performed on Sunday. What we experience in the Sunday liturgy flows into our weekly routine. The biblical texts read, the themes of the songs, the sermon preached, the challenge given to each of us, the beauty of the sacraments, the prayers to God. Each of these elements influences the weekly decisions, trains the heart to actually experience and enact the Missio Dei (mission of God).In worship, mission is given, directed, enabled, and finally initiated. It involves both worship and action. It is a field where the baptized, participants in worship, are now sent and prepared for God&#x27;s mission in the world.Our order of worship is designed to help us to remember that worship tells and retells, week after week, the story of salvation, namely, the Gospel narrative. The biblical drama includes: creation, fall, redemption and consummation (renewal). We are at the point of eschatological tension between redemption and the consummation of all things. This is where the Church lives and acts, and therefore has her mission. Christian hope, fueled by the anticipatory character of worship, does not generate a static local church, standing with its hands raised, waiting to be abducted. Rather, it creates a church in motion, that puts the hands and feet into action, walking in the world and sowing the Word of Truth.The people of God gathered, who have their hearts comforted and sin confronted, can be welcomed and taught, not only for their own enjoyment, but mainly to serve God in the midst of His world. Gathered, we are trained and sent. Then, we work and witness. The Christian church spread to the world after Christian worship must act according to what was learned during the worship, based on the implications and applications solidified in the exposition of the Word and the inspiration given in the songs, prayers and readings.Our liturgy includes:1 - GOD GATHERS US: Call to WorshipThe DoxologyPrayer of AdorationHymn of Adoration.2 - GOD RENEWS US:Confession of sinsCorporate PrayerWords of AssuranceSong of Praise.3 - GOD SPEAKS TO US:Pastoral PrayerThe Lord&#x27;s PrayerScripture ReadingSermonTithes and OfferingsHymn of ResponseThe Sacrament of the Lord&#x27;s Supper.4 - GOD SENDS US: Confession of Faith (The Apostles&#x27; Creed)Closing HymnClosing PrayerBenedictionThreefold Amen.

<blockquote>&quot;Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.&quot; (Proverbs 16:20)</blockquote>One of the great challenges of the Church in the 21st century is precisely the lack of solid and quality biblical information. It is ironic that in a time of so many facilities and so many technological resources there is a growing biblical ignorance among the people of God.The Scriptures and many other resources such as dictionaries, commentaries, sermons and tools for exegesis and hermeneutics are available on all platforms. You can go to worship today with dozens of Bible versions and translations, a voluminous highly specialized library and the works of the most famous authors at the moment on your IPad and smartphone. Even so, ignorance does not seem to give way; rather, it gets worse every day. Lots of information and little transformation. Why?Because the mind needs to be trained to be able to profitably use these resources. Texts in digital format are usually short, synthetic, without great challenge for reasoning, without great difficulties for the mind to form its own conclusions. The answers can come even before the question is asked. The Sunday School can be a place of faith intelligence, equipped with these and other resources, it can be the ideal space for deepening the most relevant issues that challenge the veracity and rationality of the Christian faith.“Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). It is clear from this passage that preparation, training of the mind, the ability to argue coherently are all part of mature discipleship, and a life of work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in the Gospel.Therefore, it is a duty of local church leadership to invest in Sunday School. It is a moral duty of Christians to value this school for the edification of their souls and also for the spiritual and intellectual equipping of hearts and minds capable of witnessing and sharing the Gospel. When the Scriptures are disseminated, taught, and explained, when the sublime doctrines of Grace and the diligent study of all doctrines of the Trinity and the last things form part of the basic Sunday School curriculum, there will inevitably be an awakening to more grateful and vibrant worship. Undoubtedly, in a spiritual atmosphere ruled by truth and with worship sustained by reason, the way to revival can be opened.Sunday School also plays an important role in evangelization. It should be a discipleship and sending center. Like the apostles who sat at the Master&#x27;s feet and, after listening carefully to him, were sent on a mission. The same should happen in Sunday School. We sat down to hear about the Kingdom, the love of the Father, the Beatitudes, the practice of justice, etc.; we are sent to offer and give freely what we freely and by grace have received. In Sunday School we learn to live and act as disciples of Jesus, as those who learn the consciousness of being sent into the world.Without a well-trained Church, with an intelligent and articulate faith; without a people with solid and well-identified biblical and doctrinal bases; without rational and vibrant worship, and without a deep identification as disciples of Jesus neither revival nor evangelism will be possible. Thanks be to God for Sunday School. Let us therefore value this wonderful “school of life”.Bethel PCA offers Sunday school classes for all ages, every Sunday at 9:30 AM.CHILDREN AND YOUTH CLASSESBethel offers Sunday School classes for children of all ages, newborn to high school. The purpose of each age appropriate class is to teach, encourage, and equip our covenant children.We believe that all Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments, has Christ as the central focal point. Each lesson is an opportunity for our students to learn who Christ is, why we need Christ, and what it means to be Christ’s disciples.ADULT CLASSThe adults meet in the sanctuary.Sunday school happens every Sunday from 9:30 - 10:15 AM.For more info, contact: pcabethel@gmail.com

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