Jesus answered Thomas: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

The

BCC Bugle

Volume 48- No. 2 - January 19, 2021 Bugle Newsletter

BCC Yearly Reorganizational Meeting for the Church Board and Deaconess Ministry Team:

Monday, January 25th at 6:30 pm. (NO MEAL.) This meeting is for Elders, Deacons, Asst. Deacons, Trustees, Deaconesses, and Church Ministry Staff.

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BUCHANAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH Est. December 17, 1854

112 West Third Street Buchanan, MI 49107-1229 Electronic Service Requested

Tel.: 269-695-6621 Fax: 269-695-6351 Email: office@buchananchurch.com Web Site: http://www.buchanan.church

Office Hours: Mon & Tues: 8-12 & 1-5 Wed &Thurs: 8-12 & 1-4; Fri: CLOSED

Sunday Services Modified (NO Bible School) Call the church office if you would like to attend

Choose from: 10 am modified service or 6 pm: includes Junior Church for K-5th Gr.

mailto:office@buchananchurch.org

Deeper In the Word Nate Babcock, Senior Minister

“Comfort, Comfort My People”

Isaiah 40 is a majestic passage which is full of divine comfort for the people of God. I encourage you to spend time in this chapter. Read and pray through it several times. Savor its soaring vision of God’s surpassing greatness. Absorb the joy and wonder of knowing that the God described in these verses is our Heavenly Father through Jesus the Son. The chapter opens with the announcement that God comforts his people by forgiving their sins (v. 1-2). Then comes the ‘prepare the way of the Lord’ text which the Gospel writers applied to John the Baptist as he prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah (v. 3-5; Mark 1:1-3, Luke 3:1-6). This is followed by the prophet’s meditation on the great contrast between fleeting and fragile human life on the one hand and God’s everlasting word on the other (v. 6-8). Next, Jerusalem is pictured as a herald announcing to all the other cities of Judah the good news that God is coming to tenderly shepherd his people (v. 9-11). What follows this, in the central section of the chapter (v. 12-26), is an extended meditation on God’s incomparable greatness: The aspects of creation which are so vast to us (oceans, mountains, nations) are small indeed to God, so small that he holds them in his hands or accounts them as nothing (v. 12 & 15-17). God knows all things, and therefore no human being could ever instruct or teach him (v. 13-14). No man-made idol can compare with the true God who created the heavens and the earth; the God before whom humans are grasshoppers; the God who does away with human rulers as quickly and easily as a green plant is blow away by the wind (v. 18-24). God is the one who created all the stars in our vast universe – he knows each of them by name and maintains them in their being by his great power (v. 25-26). The conclusion to this chapter was good new to Israel, and it is good news to us. Israel had suffered much in exile. Many Jews wondered if God had completely forgotten about them (v. 27). But Isaiah reminded them – “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable” (v. 28). In other words – the Lord had not lost sight of his people. He was still there for them, and they could still depend on Him. He alone could and would give them the strength they needed. Church – the same is true for us. Yes, the last twelve months have been full of turmoil. Yes, the pandemic continues. Yes, we have endured many personal and family hardships. But the Lord who is the everlasting God is still our source of comfort and strength. Let all of us turn to him and abide in him. Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

of Vickie Kitchell

- ANNOUNCEMENTS —

Our 2021 Offering Envelopes are still available at the table in the foyer. A sheet with your box number is there, so please cross off your number when you take your box. Thank you.

2020 Record of Giving: If you would like a copy of your giving for 2020, please call the church office. We would be happy to put your name on the Treasurer Records List. If you prefer you may come to the Welcome Center and sign your name on the list to receive your offering statement.

Flower Fund Gifts Given In Memory

Given By: In Memory Of:

Cindy Benson Tom Benson, David & Kenny Parm Esther Parm-Raven & Leigh Raven

Jim & Grace Cronin Paul & Mary Barkmann

Bernie & Linda Klinedinst Emma Simpson, Nan Klinedinst

Julie & Bobby Blaylock Grandma Gilpin, Mom & Dad Blaylock Ray Brooks

Vicki Metzger Terry & Victor Metzger, Jerry Schaffer Les & Virginia Bueghly

The Boyer Family Tom Boyer

Richard & Beverly Crettol Becky Chrystler, Zelma & Harold Collings Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Crettol

Bob Burgoyne Shirley Jean Burgoyne

Roland & Judy Earnst Donald & Vivian Longworth, Sandy Johnson

Elmer, Viola, Cheryl, & Eric Earnst

Mike & Vickie Kitchell Leigh, Pauline & John Raven Merrill, Narcetta, Scott & Alana Kitchell Beverly Rowe, Debra Robinson

Anna Bumstead Donald Bumstead,

The Annual Ladies Bruch: Please be aware for everyone’s safety and enjoyment, it has been decided to postpone the Ladies Brunch until May 1st for this year. The desire is to still hold this event. Please watch for further updates and reserve 10am on May 1, 2021 to join us.

Our Nation, *BCC Leaders & Teachers *Those hurting from loss of loved ones *Our shut-ins & home bound *Victims of tragedy in our nation & elsewhere *President Trump & family, *US Troops *Lord to send forth laborers for the Kingdom *Africa Fire Mission Team & Trip Oct.19-28

*Our Nation, *BCC Leaders & Teachers, *Those hurting from loss of loved ones *Our shut-ins & home bound, *Victims of tragedy in our nation & elsewhere *Our country leaders, *US Troops, *Lord to send forth laborers for the Kingdom

BCC PRAYER NEEDS

Prayer Focus: Sanctity of Life

Mission of the Month: Life Plan (formerly PCC)

All Families With Loved Ones with Covid-19 and Passing From Covid-19 ——————————————————————————

Jamie Becker - jaw surgery recovery

Rod Bicard - COVID-19, pneumonia, cancer, from Alabama, son of Nancy Bicard

Patrick Buzzard - back surgery recovery, Rebecka Hoyt’s brother-in-law

Debby Mitch Card - physical therapy, recov. slow, Sanford MI, cousin of Vickie Kitchell

Roland Earnst - cancer surgery January 28

Doug Moore - COVID-19, not expected to recover

Denise Petterson - has issues, needs answers, friend of Linda Brunke

Carl Riggins - jaw and skin cancer

Jean Schneider - recent fall, recovering

Jim Strzyzykowski - surgery recovery

Family of: Gary Fox - from Three Oaks, cousin of Mike Kitchell

Family of: Alana Kitchell - sister of Mike Kitchell

Family of: Bob Mallett - Florida, Bob was Michiana Christian Camp’s first camp Director from 1967-1983. Keep his wife Carol and the Mallett family in your prayers.

Family of: Doug Moore - former BCC member (parents Walt (2005) & Marilyn Moore (2000) passed)

Please Remember in Prayer

February Moments to Celebrate!

Glenn & Cheryl Heiser - 12

Linda Quick - 1

Rhonda Neal - 2

John Barbour - 4

Shirley Knox - 4

Vickie Kitchell - 6

Rebecka Hoyt - 10

Daniel Herrington - 12

Ava Lewark - 12

Beverly Crettol - 19

Sandy Craw - 23

Mike Kitchell - 24

Alexandra Anderson - 26

Jenette Wetzel - 28

Does God Ex ist Today Death and Taxes You have heard people say that nothing is certain but death and taxes. That isn’t entirely true. It is true that every one of us will face physical death. More than that, every government that collects taxes will also die. It’s a scientific fact that all things, even the universe itself, will come to an end. There is no escaping death for everyone and everything. The second law of thermodynamics tells us everything in the universe is becoming disordered. The disorder will eventually catch up with us, and with everything else. Our vehicles wear out. Our clothing wears out. Our bodies wear out. Even the Sun and all of the other stars will wear out. If you spend your life getting all you can for yourself, not caring whom you hurt in the process, you will not take your riches with you. If you spend your life doing good and helping others, those you helped will also die, and the monuments you built will crumble. If you devote your life to studying science and adding to the database of human knowledge, that too will go away. If all things in the universe, including humans, are merely accidents of chance, we ultimately have no purpose, no value, and no hope. If you have read this far, you may be feeling depressed, but I have good news. There is a God who created the universe, and you, for a purpose. Yes, your body will die, and even the universe will die. But by God’s grace, you can choose to live on. God has entered the time dimension in human form and conquered death for us. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, though they die, yet shall they live.” How is it possible to live beyond death? In the beginning, God created time and space, matter, and energy. Those things do not limit Him because He created them. The second law of ther-modynamics does not apply to God. He does not get old or die. The Bible tells us that be-cause of God’s love and grace, you have the choice to believe and accept and live with God in a new creation. Yes, you can live beyond death and taxes, and, thankfully, the choice is yours. Adapted from a post by Roland Earnst on www.DoesGodExist.today.

Bible School

V. Metzger Bible School

C. Benson P. Anderson

Bible School

P. Brackett Bible School R. Neal

Birth-2 yrs: C. Blaine/G. Britton 3 yrs - Pre K: P. & J. Brackett K-2nd Gr.: B. Smith 3rd-5th Gr: S. Weldy & A. Weldy

Bible School J. Blaylock

Bible School

C. Benson P. Anderson

Bible School P. Brackett

Bible School R. Neal

Birth-2 yrs: J. Ferris / S. Galaske 3 yrs - Pre K: R. & T. Wheat K-2nd Gr.: B. Smith 3rd-5th Gr: S. Weldy & A. Weldy

Bible School

J. Blaylock Bible School

C. Benson P. Anderson

Bible School

P. Brackett Bible School R. Neal

Birth-2 yrs: R. & T. Wheat 3 yrs - Pre K: M. & N. Mitchell K-2nd Gr.: P. & J. Brackett 3rd-5thGr: S. Weldy & A. Weldy

Bible School J. Blaylock

Bible School

C. Benson P. Anderson

Bible School

P. Brackett Bible School R. Neal

Birth-2 yrs: B. Smith 3 yrs - Pre K: B. Smith K-2nd Gr.: Family Sunday 3rd-5th Gr: Family Sunday

Bible School

J. Blaylock Bible School

C. Benson P. Anderson

Bible School

P. Brackett Bible School R. Neal

Birth-2 yrs: D. Bybee & TBA 3 yrs - Pre K: B. & C. Schmeling K-2nd Gr.: B. Smith 3rd-5th Gr: L.Klinedinst, R.Heiser

BCC COMPREHENSIVE SERVING CALENDAR: FEBRUARY

BIBLE SCHOOL TEACHERS & CHILDREN’S CLASSES

Birth-2yrs / 3yrs-Pre K / K-2nd / 3rd-5th / Worship Hr.

Contact: B. Smith

K. Entwistle D. Weldy P. Weldy T. Entwistle

M. Kitchell C. Benson C. Kuehn

B. Babcock

Z. Anderson

J. Brackett N. Mitchell M. Mitchell P. Brackett

M. Kitchell C. Benson C. Kuehn

R. Earnst Z. Furst

K. Roberts J. Brackett P. Brackett D. Ferris

M. Kitchell C. Benson C. Kuehn T. Wheat

T. Entwistle K. Entwistle

G. Britton S. Weldy D. Ferris M. Mitchell

N. Mitchell C. Benson C. Kuehn T. Wheat

B. Babcock

Br. Babcock

Praise Team Accompanist Sound Tech Projection Tech

J. Brackett G. Britton P. Brackett D. Ferris

M. Kitchell C. Benson C. Kuehn T. Wheat

R. Earnst G. Brackett

MUSIC MINISTRY

2/07

2/14

2/21 Family

Sunday

2/28

11/29

Contact:

J. Earnst

AT 10 AM: ALL CHILDREN ARE TO STAY WITH PARENTS AT 6 PM: JUNIOR CHURCH FOR CHILDREN K-5TH GRADES

(MEET IN THE YOUTH ROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR)

2/07

2/14

2/21 Family Sunday

2/28

11/29

SERVING AT THE LORD’S

TABLE

Contact: P. Brackett

2/07

2/14

2/21

Family

2/28

6/21 Family Sunday

2/07

2/14

2/21

Family

2/28

6/21 Family

PRAYING FOR THE WORSHIP SERVICES

Contact: T. Anderson

J. Vergon C. Benson

COMMUNION PREPARATION Contact: T. Young

Serving next month:

BCC SECURITY LOCKUP Contact: N. Mark

N. Mark Serving next month:

J. Burkhard J. Pugh

R. Young

C. Boyer M. Mitchell

J. Ferris

T. Irwin

B. Klinedinst

T. Irwin

SERVING HOME

COMMUNION

Contact: T. Irwin

2/07

2/14

2/21

Family

2/28

6/21 Family Sunday

P. Weldy M. Mitchell

M. Mitchell P. Weldy

P. Weldy M. Mitchell

M. Mitchell P. Weldy

P. Brackett T. Irwin

Meditation Prayer

Prayer Warrior / All Services

T. & P. Anderson

G. Britton

K. Pratt

T. Young

D. WeldyN. Dunning

10 am, 6 pm