We at Big Trees Community Bible Church Welcome You
Hello: I’m Pastor Jeff and I’d like to invite you to join us this Sunday to worship with us at 10:30 a.m. The following week will bring us to Advent — always a special time of the year. There are a number of events coming up this Christmas season, including our Christmas Cantata and the Cookie Tray Giveaway (see details below).
I’ve recently completed a sermon series titled “Is the Church Essential?” We considered God’s glorious vision for the church that he presents to us in selected Scriptures from the Ephesians epistle. If you missed one or more of these encouraging sermons, you can find them all here.
My Recent Sermon Series!
Is the Church Essential? Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians presents a grand and glorious vision of what the church can and should be. We, believers, will seek to regain that glorious vision while many others have already given up on the church and treat it as optional or unnecessary.
The church is more than a building, more than a commitment to sit in a pew for a few songs and listen to a sermon. The church is a group of believers who continually gather as the body of Christ, loving, caring, praying, sharing, serving, ministering, worshiping, supporting, encouraging, and so much more. Come explore the Scriptures with us to find out all that God intends us to be.
See more about the purpose and value of this sermon series.
Arnold Kids Club, Back in Action
Arnold Kids Club is back at Hazel Fischer School. This after-school Christian club for kids offers Bible stories, puppets, crafts, activities, and a snack. The club meets each Monday (except on holidays) at the school, from 2:05 to 3:15 p.m. Parents will need to provide transportation home. Get a permission slip for your children from the school office.
Have questions or want to get involved? .
Starting November 2: Women’s Bible Study
Ladies You’re invited to join Women’s Bible Study that will begin a brand-new study topic. We meet Thursday mornings, starting at 10:00 a.m., at Jan Sabo’s home: 340 Allen Court, in Murphys. I, Sue Souza, am the group’s coordinator.
Together, we’ll not only study the Bible but also pray and fellowship with one another. We’ll begin a new study that focuses on Psalms, using an excellent Bible-study resource written by Dr. David Jeremiah, titled “God, I Need Some Answers.” For more information, talk to me or .
Our Choir Is Preparing for Christmas Cantata
Our choir is in the midst of rehearsals for our annual Christmas Cantata. This year, we’ll sing “Images of Adoration” by Pepper Choplin.
If you sing and would like to join us, we meet to rehearse from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., Sundays, in the church sanctuary. You are welcome to sing with us!
Presenting “Images of Adoration”
Twice in December, our choir will be present its Christmas Cantata’s “Images of Adoration.”
• The first presentation will be at the Murphys Diggins Clubhouse in Murphys, December 9, at 2:00 p.m.
• We’ll also present our Cantata on Sunday morning, December 17, during our Sunday morning worship service at Big Trees Church, at 10:30 a.m.
Please join us at one or both performances to enjoy this season’s beautiful music.
“Operation Christmas Child”
Thanks to everyone who participated in packing more than 200 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Tricia Glaze did a wonderful job organizing the packing party; it went incredibly smoothly. Thanks too to our friends from Chapel in the Pines and American Heritage Girls who joined our efforts.
Christmas Cookie Tray Give-Away Is Coming Soon
Mark your calendar and make your plans to bake cookies. On November 30, we’ll assemble the cookie trays in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. We’ll then distribute them to the community. This is a ministry activity of Raye of Sunshine. For more information, email .
To make giving easier in the present environment, we've set up an online giving option.
Please click the link to our giving portal if you'd like to give online.
https://app.clovergive.com/app/giving/btcbc
Our Prayers Are Very Important!
“When Christ ascended into heaven, all He left behind was a prayer meeting. The early Church didn’t have a prayer meeting; the early Church was the prayer meeting.”
— Armin Gesswein, Founder of College of Prayer.
“Lord, teach us to pray, . . .” — Luke 11:1
For nearly six years, we’ve asked the Lord to “Teach Us to Pray.” We’ve learned much, but it's time to take what we’ve learned and take it to the next level. After teaching his disciples to pray, Jesus called them to The Upper Room.
They went to the upper room where they joined together constantly in prayer (Acts 1:13–14).
Armin Gesswein wrote: “The Upper Room was Jesus’ master plan, which He masterminded to be the masterpiece and centerpiece of history.”
The book of Acts documents that a church lives in the presence and power of God, experiencing the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. It's a church born in a prayer meeting and devoted to prayer. Each success and each new challenge brought the disciples back to the upper room to pray. That's a pattern that we better not miss.
We'll ask the Lord to continue to teach us to pray and build on what we’ve learned. We'll worship and wait to experience his power and presence, blessing and ministering to each other in prayer, as we intercede. And we'll come with high expectations, eager to create a place where others will come with their needs and concerns, looking forward to finding a venue that overflows with grace and hope.
“God never made anyone who couldn’t pray . . . including you.” Armin Gesswein.
Please come to The Upper Room, Wednesday evenings, 6:30 p.m. at the church.
You can also find my Daily Devotionals on my blog: "Pastor Jeff's Neighborhood."
More of our ministries have found creative ways to meet and/or function. for more information.
The elders and I are eager to serve and help you in any way we can. Feel free to reach out to us with any needs or concerns you may have. Thank you.
I hope you'll join us "indoors" and/or "online" at our Sunday worship services.
Pastor Jeff
