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 Buchanan

Bugle

Buchanan Christian Church 112 W. Third St. Buchanan, MI 49107

BCC Office

Office: 269-695-6621 Please leave your name, phone

number & a brief message

The BCC Bugle Newsletter - Volume 46 No. 18 - September 17, 2019

BCC

> Sundays: 9:20 am, Just Coffee - Come get some coffee, donut or treat. 9:30 am, Bible School, for all ages; 10:30 am, Worship Service

> Wednesdays: This week No 5:30 - 6:30 pm, GloryMakers Children’s Choir (K-6th) 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Teen Illumination (grades 7th-12th) 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Special Prayer Time & Adult Bible Study

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER

> 9/22, Sun: International Justice Mission Freedom Sunday with guests Beth & BJ George from Better Way Design. Breakfast at 9:30 is provided by the Justice

Ministry Team. At 10:30 am, BJ will be preaching about God’s Justice. Afterwards you will have an opportunity to purchase from Better Way Design!

> 9/28, 9:00 am: , Prime Table in Niles, sign up by 9/22, go dutch > 9/26, Thurs: 6 - 8 pm, All Family, Come have fun!

> 9/29, Sun: WCCH M i s s i o n S u n d a y Special guest, Joe Heins from Woodburn Christian Children’s Home will be with us and preaching during the worship hour! * 9:30 am, Joe will be presenting a parenting/grandparenting class for you. Anyone is welcome to attend this informative class. All other adults please continue to your regular classes. *10:30 am, Worship Service: our Special Guest, Joe, will be preaching for us. *12:00 pm, Dinner: After worship, AHG Spaghetti Dinner! All invited - Cost: Donations Only * 5:00 - 6:00 pm, Heroes resume (grades K-5th)

* 5:00 - 6:00 pm, Adult Choir Practice resume. Voices welcome. * 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm, Fall Evening Service, fellowship hall > 10/3, Thurs: 1:30 pm, Ladies Fel lowship resumes in the Fellowship Hall.

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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: 8-4; Fri: CLOSED

Sunday Service

Bible School: 9:30 am (for all ages!)

Worship Service: 10:30 am

Deeper In the Word

Nate Babcock, Senior Minister

Understanding the Book of Revelation #2 This is the second of three articles which I will be writing in preparation for my up-coming sermon series “Following Christ through Revelation” (begins October 6).

In my previous article I said that “Revelation is meant to give us clarity instead of confusion.” But, if that is the case, why is there so much confusion about what the book means? Part of the answer to that question is that Revelation is challenging to interpret. The highly symbolic and dramatic language in the book is much different than the laws in Leviticus or the narratives in Samuel and Acts.

A larger problem, however, is our tendency to miss the forest for the trees. We want to know the meaning of the details – “What are the seven seals, trumpets, and bowls and when will they happen?” “What is the mark of the beast?” “Will there be an Armageddon?” “What about the rapture?” and “How can we know when the great tribulation will begin?” Preoccupation with these details (the trees) causes us, almost invariably, to miss the big picture of the book of Revelation (the forest). This is an almost fatal mistake in Bible interpretation. The truth is that the details of Revelation only make sense in light of the book’s overall message and structure. Trying to un-derstand Revelation by focusing on the details while neglecting the big picture is like trying to put together a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box to show you what your puzzle is supposed to look like when you are finished. Without a big picture as a guide, the puzzle pieces themselves are meaningless and cannot be put together into a coherent whole. The same is true for Revelation – if it is be to be understood, as it is meant to be understood, then we must begin with the big picture.

There are three big-picture themes in Revelation which we need to keep in mind, and which will help us put the details in their proper place.

1) Revelation is by and about Jesus Christ. Revelation, first of all, unveils Jesus Christ and enables us to see Him as he is, and Revelation thereby calls us to a deeper and more complete loyalty to and love for Jesus as our Savior and Judge.

2) Revelation is a prophecy to be obeyed. Now, we normally don’t think that proph-ecy needs to be obeyed. We normally think that prophecy needs to be fulfilled. But that is a misunderstanding. Biblical prophecy calls us to present-tense obedi-ence. As my Seminary professor Dr. Bob Lowery used to say, Revelation is a “discipleship handbook.” As a discipleship handbook Revelation calls us to persevere in obedient faith to Jesus Christ in a world which is at one and the same time a hostile enemy and a tempting seductress.

3) Revelation is about the end of this present age. It is the “capstone” of the Biblical story and message. It completes what began in Genesis by opening up to us the vision of “a new heavens and a new earth.” This vision is meant to supply us with hope and with confidence in the certainty of God’s victory over evil.

If we can keep this big picture in mind as we study Revelation, we won’t miss the forest for the trees.

*Lord to send forth laborers for the Kingdom

Happiness Train 2019-2020

By Brandy Babcock

Happiness Train started on 9/10/19. We have 16 amazing kids this year! I have been thoroughly enjoying this first week and feel so blessed to be able to serve God in this ministry that He has called me to! Happiness Train has been going strong for more than 40 years now, and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue it into the future! I am very blessed to have Brandon, as well as four parents, helping out this year and everyone is doing a wonderful job. This first week we dived right in to teaching the kids about God’s love through Creation – we’re starting “at the beginning” and they are learning about how God not only created the earth but that He also created each one of them in His image. We also started out learning about the letter A and the #1. Our mornings are filled with learning and playing and I have to remember my frappe on these mornings because the kids come in with a ton more energy than I do! Please join me in praying for these amazing kids that they will learn about the beauty of God’s love for them and grow in Him. Please pray for myself and all of my helpers that we will show that love and have the patience and strength that we need each day. Fi-nally, please pray for our finances – this year we had to do a lot of

updating of toys and gym equipment. Plus, we had to purchase our curricu-lum workbooks. We still have a long year ahead of us – with weekly ex-penses of crafts and snacks and party supplies. As always, Happiness Train depends on donations from parents and congregation members. I believe that

God wants this ministry to flourish and that He will provide – but please join me in prayer for this as our school year unfolds. Thank you!

OCTOBER BLESSINGS to CELEBRATE

(Please notify the office if you’d like to have your birthday or anniversary included.)

Birthdays

Linda Brunke - 1 Dale Furst - 2

Evelyn Furst - 2

Nate Mark - 6

Vicki Metzger - 10

Joann Pugh - 14

Chelsea Schmeling - 15

Vinette DePhillipe - 17

Michele Clayton - 26

Steve Quick - 27

Cheryl Lowery - 28

Jason Kitchell - 30

Jenny Turner - 31

Anniversaries

Jeff & Sandy Burkhard - 6

Robert & Michele Clayton - 6

Tim & Cyndi Roberts - 7

John & Ruth Barbour - 14

Jon & Jen Wetzel - 18

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

BCC PRAYER NEEDS

Prayer Focus: Education

Mission of the Month: Africa Fire Mission

Please Remember in Prayer:

Garrett Brackett - broken leg recovery Chuck Brunke - serious infection, Ed Brunke’s brother Paul Chick - brain stem blood clot, nephew of Dan Furst Grace Cronin - hip surgery recovery, came through well Daniel Lee Furst - MRI 9/22, genetic specialist in October, Kristin Furst req. Evelyn Furst - leg growth 0.1 cm, follow up in February 2020, Kristin Furst req. Frank Furst - MRI, knee, 9/26, Kristin Furst req. Kristin Furst - struggle within, self req. Jim Hoyt - chemo reduction due to side effects, Tom & Rebecka Hoyt req. Angela Jiraniratisai - doing well, high risk pregnancy, Carrie Strzyzykowski req. David Knox - long surgery recovery, grandson of Chet Walkden Sierra Lowery - med. tests, Cheryl Lowery req. Dan Marks - waiting for kidney transplant, Tristan Schmeling’s uncle Freda Marks - lung biopsy results, Mimi of Tristan Schmeling Betty Strzyzykowski - therapy at Pine Ridge, Jim Strzyzykowski’s mom Steve Quick - Lakeland St. Joe, no visitors, phone only 269-983-8425 Alaina Wheaton - appendix surg. recov., granddaughter of Mike & Sally Galaske Family of Janet Craw: BCC Senior Saint

PRAISES: Tami Brunke - surg, went well, E & L B; Stacey Korecki, doing well, R.M.

*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

All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment

By Hannah Anderson

Review by Nate Babcock

There are four features of this book which I deeply appreciate. First, Hannah Anderson – who is an author, pastor’s wife, and mother – has offered us a vision of discernment which is more than just avoiding negative or sinful things. Instead, she argues that Christian discernment is primarily about cultivating the ability to recognize and pursue what is good. She acknowledges that our world is broken by sin, but that God’s goodness is nevertheless pervasively present throughout creation. She writes, “What if we could see the world as God sees it – in all its brokenness and beauty – and in seeing, be able to do more than endure this life? What if we could flourish in it? I think we can. In fact, I’m convinced of this good news: Despite all the pain, all the sorrow, all the questions, goodness still exists because God still exists.” Second, I appreciate Anderson’s patience. The heart of the book is a deep dive into Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” In chapters 4-9 Anderson takes her time, dwelling on the meanings of truth, honor, justice, and so on. Her patience with these words, and the careful thought she develops about what it means to recognize and pursue these varieties of goodness, makes for a stimulating and joyful journey. Third, the author is a wonderful storyteller. She weaves narratives from her own experience into her exploration of discernment in such a way that the stories and her biblical and spiritual reflections mutually illuminate each other. Don’t be surprised if more than one of her stories show up in my sermons in the future! Finally, All That’s Good is beautifully written. The book itself is a sterling example of the goodness Anderson calls us to recognize and pursue. Discernment is an often overlooked aspect of the Christian life, and this book – through its structure, prose, and spiritual depth – equips its readers to more fully engage with God’s goodness in this broken world.

10/06

10/13

10/20

10/27

Family Sunday

9/29

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-6th Gr: S. Weldy

Bible School

V. Metzger 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/ TBA

3rd-6th Gr: S. Weldy

Bible School

V. Metzger Bible School

C. Benson P. Anderson

Bible School

P. Brackett Bible School

R. Neal Birth-2 yrs: R. & T. Wheat 3 yrs - Pre K: B. Smith K-2nd Gr.: P. & J. Brackett

3rd-6thGr: S. Weldy

Bible School

V. Metzger Bible School

C. Benson P. Anderson

Bible School

P. Brackett Bible School

R. Neal Birth-2 yrs: A. Smith 3 yrs - Pre K: M. & N. Mitchell K-2nd Gr.: D. & K. Furst 3rd-6th Gr: S. Weldy

Bible School

V. Metzger 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.: Family Sunday 3rd-6th Gr: Family Sunday

BCC COMPREHENSIVE SERVING CALENDAR: OCTOBER

BIBLE SCHOOL TEACHERS & CHILDREN’S CLASSES

Birth-2yrs / 3yrs-Pre K / K-2nd / 3rd-6th / Worship Hr.

Contact: B. Smith

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

M. Kitchell C. Benson C. Kuehn

B. Babcock

G. Brackett

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

M. Kitchell C. Benson C. Kuehn

B. Babcock Br. Babcock

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

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

T. Entwistle K. Entwistle

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

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

R. Wheat Z. Furst

Praise Team Accompanist Sound Tech Projection Tech

S. Weldy D. Weldy P. Weldy P. Brackett

M. Kitchell C. Benson C. Kuehn

R. Earnst Z. Furst

MUSIC MINISTRY

10/06

10/13

10/20

10/27

Family Sunday

9/29

Contact:

J. Earnst

SERVING AT THE LORD’S

TABLE

Contact: P. Brackett

R. Earnst M. Mitchell

M. Mitchell R. Earnst

R. Earnst M. Mitchell

M. Mitchell R. Earnst

T. Irwin P. Brackett

10/06

10/13

10/20

10/27 Family Sunday

Meditation Prayer

Prayer Warrior

T. & P. Anderson

G. Britton

K. Pratt

T. Young

N. Dunning

10/06

10/13

10/20

10/27 Family Sunday

PRAYING FOR THE WORSHIP SERVICE

Contact: T. Anderson

C. Lowery R. Neal

COMMUNION PREPARATION Contact: L. Brunke

October

BCC SECURITY LOCKUP Contact: N. Mark

J. Burkhard October

R. Young J. Pugh

T. Irwin

C. Boyer

B. Klinedinst T. Irwin

B. Klinedinst

T. Irwin

SERVING HOME

COMMUNION

Contact: T. Irwin

10/06

10/13

10/20

10/27 Family Sunday