Bethel Assembly Of God - The School of Christ

Sermon Follow-Up

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:44:45 GMT

From Sermon on March 9, 2025

In yesterday's sermon, we quoted an article written by Liam Siegler from The Gordon Review website. The quote was by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and helps explain his theology of Christian Community as contained in his classic book, Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community . Please find the quote below:

"He who loves his dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial."

To learn more about this idea, please visit this website-->https://thegordonreview.com/2021/02/04/dietrich-bonhoeffer-on-the-importance-of-christian-community/amp/

For more information about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, read this fantastic book by Eric Metaxas-->https://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Pastor-Martyr-Prophet-Spy/dp/1400224640/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1E1B6QB3KR5NN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7iWAZtIuyTBFh7u3EaQ_wiI4LP-V1S9iuU_ZSrJZDdOTCpu-Jmp931M1zCkiYOxydpsCeETI6Rwk5GAUgJ5zG-f7sy1h5BBGdLG1megU_-Q1_ivmyU9kSDz5KtEJClcmYAUbWhex1IfWKIhCvVfFCgSnteF6HyBTegXrnOgny5KO9xfDSNpMKnj9PhIaHTt00rRiTfPk_FKNrGlIYAdiWFz6VIdMgL9YLP7zevTGTwY.ML8kifAWMVO8brjJaLSXIdSM0qsNH2IChp7TfQwvvi4&dib_tag=se&keywords=bonhoeffer&qid=1741628358&sprefix=bonho%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Bonhoeffer's work, Life Together , can be purchased here-->https://www.amazon.com/Life-Together-Exploration-Christian-Community/dp/0060608528/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1E1B6QB3KR5NN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VGUPRQdvJMSk5P0fKfuE9JvsmgLT7YwWv5uuoHTCqVOTCpu-Jmp931M1zCkiYOxydpsCeETI6Rwk5GAUgJ5zG-f7sy1h5BBGdLG1megU_-Q1_ivmyU9kSDz5KtEJClcmYAUbWhex1IfWKIhCvVfFCgSnteF6HyBTegXrnOgny5KO9xfDSNpMKnj9PhIaHTt00rRiTfPk_FKNrGlIYAdiWFz6VIdMgL9YLP7zevTGTwY.ShqpXonC4DqmcZcAaSJ3JHvX7TMZLr-JfUh-4XYi5lU&dib_tag=se&keywords=bonhoeffer&qid=1741628358&sprefix=bonho%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-6

Please share your comments.

The Will Of God

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 14:26:17 GMT

Sermon Follow-Up--from March 2, 2025

Here is some information to follow up on our sermon from last week, called, The Will of God . More helpful commentary can be found here .

__________

SHARPENING YOUR SPIRITUAL INSTINCTS

There are three passages in the New Testament that shed light on the discovery of God's moral will. When I walk through these texts, I find very practical instruction on the matter. The first one is Romans 12:1-2:—“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (NKJV)
Paul writes to the church in Rome and exhorts the believers to offer their bodies to God as a living sacrifice. Herein lies an important spiritual principle. The Lord does not reveal His will to those who are unwilling to follow it. Jesus said, "If any man will [is willing to] do His will, He shall know..." (John 7:17).
"If your eye is single [you have single devotion to the Lord], your whole body will be full of light" (Matt. 6:22).
Paul goes on to discuss the renewing of the mind. The net effect of offering our bodies as a living sacrifice and renewing our minds is that we will be able to "prove" or demonstrate the perfect will of God. This is a reference to His moral will, as the context shows.
Notice that the mind has something to do with discovering God's moral will. Remember that under the New Covenant, the Law of God is written in our minds (Heb. 8:10). However, our minds need to be renewed. If we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord, and we renew our minds, Paul says that we will know and approve the perfect will of God.
As natural creatures, we have a certain way of thinking. We have a way of reasoning that we inherited from this world. The Lord's thoughts are not man's thoughts. In fact, they are directly opposed to the thinking of this present world.
Yet as we renew our mind, we begin to think the way He thinks and our spiritual instincts become sharper. Our understanding and our judgment become shaped by the Lord's mind. And His will becomes obvious to us. We become intuitively aware which actions are pleasing to Him and which are not. This is maturity. Again, I'm speaking of the moral will of God.
Paul made mention of this process when he spoke to the Corinthians. He told them that because they were living like natural people in the world (unsaved people), they were spiritual babes and couldn't understand the things of the Spirit.
But the spiritually mature are those who are able to exercise spiritual discernment and judgment (1 Cor. 2:6-3:3).
To put a finer point on it, instead of giving us orders and commands, the Lord desires for us to have a mind. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus... we have the mind of Christ" (Php. 2:5; 1 Cor. 2:16). When a son is young, he receives orders from his parents. But as he spends time getting to know his parents and matures, he cultivates an understanding of the mind of his parents in specific situations.
The son's mind, as it were, is renewed to reflect that of his parents. It is the same in the spiritual. We are sons who possess a mind rather than servants who merely take orders (John 15:15; Gal. 4:1ff.).
How do we renew our minds? Simply, by spending time in the Lord's presence, by responding to Him, and by receiving the ministry of His Word, which contains His thoughts. By those three elements our minds are shaped in conformity to His will.
The other passage is Hebrews 5:14:—“But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (NKJV)
This text unearths an important principle about spiritual maturity. Namely, that as we practice yielding to the Lord, our spiritual instincts become more acute. The text says that the mature believer has his "senses" exercised by "reason of use" (or habit) to "discern" both good and evil. That is, the mature believer is able to discern the moral will of God in all situations.
Finally, we have a passage in the book of Acts that opens up
another vista altogether. In Acts 24:16, Paul declares: “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” (NKJV)
Each one of us has a conscience. Your conscience is an inward monitor that goes off when you step out of God's moral will. It's like an alarm. If you violate it, it brings you under conviction. It is not condemnation, which comes from God's enemy or from a preacher who tells you how terrible a Christian you are. It comes from your human spirit, the place where God dwells.
Both the Holy Spirit and your conscience bear witness to the truth (Romans 9:1).
It is by your conscience that you can discern the moral will of God. Anything that offends your conscience is something to stay clear of. Anything that your conscience allows is permissible for you. There is another aspect of the conscience that we will handle in the last chapter.
It has to do with the way the conscience is shaped. (The Bible also speaks about a "seared" conscience. But this is in reference to people who continue to reject the dictates of their conscience to the point that it doesn't operate any longer-1 Tim. 4:2.)
To sum up, we have been given five lighthouses that guide us into the moral will of God: The inward promptings and instincts of the Holy Spirit written on our minds and hearts (Heb. 8; Rom. 8; Gal. 5), the testimony of Scripture (2 Tim. 3), the renewal of our minds (Rom. 12), the habitual exercise of our spiritual senses (Heb. 5), and the dictates of our conscience (Acts 24).
All of these lighthouses cause us to fulfill Paul's word in Ephesians 5:17, "Therefore, be not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." The context of this passage is referring to God's moral will ... the path of righteousness, which is Christ.
If you have been in the Lord for any length of time, it is not difficult to discern the moral will of God. Again, think of God's moral will as a parking lot. A step out of love is a step outside of the parking lot. Walking in love is walking in the parking lot.
Add to that a safeguard: On moral matters, inward promptings are only reliable when they are consistent with the will of God disclosed in Scripture. This is one of the reasons why the ministry of the Word is so vital to us. It not only reveals Christ to us and feeds our spirit, but it also educates us on the way the indwelling Lord directs us. For the Christ revealed in Scripture and the Christ who lives in us is the same Person. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).

__________

Direct quotes taken f rom Frank Viola 's free eBook-- Rethinking the Will of God .

Royal Rangers Outpost Meeting

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 14:34:24 GMT

Monday March 10th @ 5PM

Royal Rangers in an activity-based, small-group church ministry for boys and young men in grades K-12. Through Royal Rangers, boys participate in a diverse program of fun activities, specifically designed to meet their unique needs and interests.

Boys participate in weekly small group meetings and periodic activities under the leadership of adult men and women who are trained to deliver the adventure that is Royal Rangers.

Meeting Location:

Bethel Life Church

111 Totten Lane

Front Royal, VA 22630.

*For more information contact Bethel Life Church or

show up at the meeting as a guest.*

Interview With Tony Kensinger (FRESH Ministries)

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 16:02:14 GMT

In preparation for our Valentine's Day event coming up February 14, 2025

Watch our interview with Tony in the video below:

Upcoming Events--January 27, 2025

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 17:32:44 GMT

Check out our Upcoming Events in the video below:

Valentine Dinner Date Night Feb. 14th 6:30PM

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 15:15:22 GMT

FEBRUARY 14TH 6:30PM

FRESH Ministries Pastor Tony Kensinger and his

wife Heather presenting a message on “Marriage”.

Pastor Tony and Heather speak nationally at family,

marriage and parenting events providing proactive ideas to

keep the family strong. Their talks focus on creating strong

family ties, authentic relationships, memorable

experiences, a safe home, and a hope found in Jesus. The

addition of humor, creativity, and encouragement allows

adults to apply best practices of family life to meet the

specific needs of their situation. You are going to make it!

Let’s have a great time reminding ourselves of that!

A meal will be provided:

- Brisket with burnt ends

- Potato salad

- Baked Beans

Dessert

- Homemade Banana Pudding

Price per seat = $25

*Seating is limited

**Make reservations by contacting:

Bethel Life Church or

B uy Tickets Here

1/31/2025 Family Movie Night

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 20:01:17 GMT

Showing:

“23BLAST” (PG-13)

As a typical teenager, Travis Freeman (Mark Hapka) is a local hero both on and off the high-school football field in his small Kentucky town, but in 1997, Travis contracts an infection that destroys his optic nerve and renders him blind overnight. With the loving help and concern of his parents, physical therapist, coach and best friend, Travis demonstrates what true bravery is: He continues to compete on the gridiron and helps his team advance to the state finals.

Doors open @ 6:00pm

Movie starts @ 6:30pm

Light Snacks & Drinks are offered.

This is a free event for everyone!

Bring a friend!

Special Leadership Service Feb. 16th 10:30AM

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 18:30:32 GMT

February 16th 10:30am

Please join us for a Special Leadership Service with Pastor Jeff Ferguson.

Pastor Jeff is a retired pastor from Harrisburg First Assembly of God, and currently serves as Pastoral Care Minister for the Potomac Ministry Network. During this service, Pastor Jeff will focus on the topic of leadership in his message. Additionally, leaders from our congregation will be recognized and prayed over during the service.

If you are a church, community leader, or someone interested in pursuing a leadership role, please make plans to join us for this impactful service.

The service will be held in the Sanctuary of Bethel Life Church.

2/21/2025 Family Movie Night

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 20:09:26 GMT

Showing:

“JOSEPH: King of Dreams” (PG)

A boy's ability to see the future results in familial discord, taking him away to Egypt, where he helps the pharaoh protect the kingdom from disaster.

Doors open @ 6:00pm

Movie starts @ 6:30pm

Light Snacks & Drinks are offered.

This is a free event for everyone!

01/19/2025 “New Year’s Resolutions, Part 3”

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 16:32:49 GMT

Watch on Facebook

Washington Post Article—“What If We’re Doing New Year’s Resolutions All Wrong?”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/01/13/new-year-resolutions/

01/05/2025 “New Year’s Resolution, Part 1-Taking Care of Yourself”

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 16:28:43 GMT

Listen Here

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV—"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the holy spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

12/29/2024 "Beginnings"

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:27:27 GMT

Listen Here

John 1:1 NIV—"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

12/22/2024 "Christmas 2024-Part 4"

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 16:26:19 GMT

Listen Here

Psalms 49:15 NIV—"But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.”

Christmas Service 12/22 10:30am

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:42:31 GMT

Christmas Service, Sunday the 22nd @ 10:30am

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Family Movie Night with Santa! 12/21 3:30pm

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:04:18 GMT

Saturday December 21st 3:30pm

Saturday, December 21st, 3:30PM

Showing: “STAR”

"Movie Trailer"

Join us for our Family Movie Night with special guest “Santa”.

All are welcome to come enjoy a family movie.

There will be locations to take pictures with Santa.

Light snacks and drinks will be available.

This is a "FREE" event!

12/15/2024 "Christmas 2024-Part 3"

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 16:24:50 GMT

Listen Here

Luke 1:54-55 NIV—" “He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as He promised our ancestors.””

12/08/2024 -Guest Speaker: Delores Riley Oates

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 16:23:37 GMT

Listen Here

Isaiah 9:6 NIV—" “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

12/01/2024 "Christmas 2024-Part 1"

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 16:21:24 GMT

Listen Here

Romans 15:13 NIV—" “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”

11/24/2024 "Solving Problems"

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 16:17:33 GMT

Listen Here

John 5:7 NIV—" “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.””

11/17/2024 "Justification"

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 16:16:07 GMT

Listen Here

Romans 5:1 NIV—"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

10/27/2024 "Practice"

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:51:30 GMT

Listen Here

11/03/2024 "You Are What You Eat"

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 16:12:31 GMT

Listen Here

Matthew 5:6 NKJV —"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.”

Thanksgiving Meal

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 17:49:05 GMT

For Veterans, Seniors, and their Families

We are sponsoring a Thanksgiving Meal for Veterans, Seniors, and their families on Wednesday, November 13th, from 12:30-2PM. Please share the flyer below with veterans and seniors who may be interested. The menu for this meal can be found below.

__________

Thanksgiving Meal Menu:

- Turkey

- Homemade Mashed Potatoes

- Gravy

- Sweet Potatoes

- Green Beans

- Cole Slaw

- Pumpkin Pie

- Homemade Rolls w/ Apple Butter

__________

You may give towards this event, and our ministry to veterans and seniors in our community, by following the QR Code on the flyer below, or by visiting our website at: https://bethellife.breezechms.com/give/online

#BethelLife #WeBuildPeople

9/29/2024 Earthen Vessels

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 18:40:42 GMT

Listen Here!

10/6/2024 Communicating with God in Times of Trouble.

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 17:39:54 GMT

Listen here!

One-Night Special Service

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 18:00:44 GMT

Special Service with Dr. Johan Bruwer!

Don't miss your chance, come one, come all!

Guest Speaker This Sunday

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 17:42:38 GMT

Trunk-Or-Treat 2024

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 14:45:52 GMT

You are invited to Trunk-or-Treat--Friday, October 25th, at 6PM

All trick-or-treaters, please come by Bethel Life Church on Friday, October 25th at 6PM for Trunk-Or-Treat. We will have car trunks filled with candy and other goodies in our church parking lot, so that you can come and fill your candy bags. Following Trunk-Or-Treat, we will have Bethel Movie Night at the church starting at 6:30PM, at which we will be showing " The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe ." All are welcome.

We Build People, Part 1--Foundations

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 12:21:03 GMT

Sermon from September 15, 2024

Listen here .

Bethel Life Event List--March, 2024

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:05:49 GMT

Please Join Us For These Exciting Events In March

March is an exciting month at Bethel Life Church, and we have many exciting events planned, which you are invited to participate in. First, on MARCH 15TH , we have a M OVIE NIGHT planned. We will be showing " The Boys In The Boat ." This movie is based on the great true story of the members of the University of Washington rowing team, who were thrust into the spotlight as they compete d for gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. This all happen ed during the height of the Great Depression, no less!

Doors will open at 6PM, and the movie will begin at 6:30PM. We will have snacks available. Please come join us for this Movie Night.

On MARCH 24TH , at 10:30AM, we have an exciting service planned at Bethel Life Church. David Koff will be the Guest Worship Leader for that service. David is a very talented musician and vocalist, and you will not be disappointed upon hearing him lead worship. Additionally, Jim Wratchford will be sharing his testimony during this Morning Worship Service. Jim has an amazing testimony! Some years ago, he had a heart attack and flatlined three times while being taken to Winchester Medical Center. God worked miraculously, and Jim lives to give his testimony of the powerful work of God in his life.

On Saturday, MARCH 30TH , at 2PM, we will be hosting an EASTER EGG HUNT at the church. This will be a great event for the kids. During this event, we will also have a BAKE SALE sponsored by our Women's Ministry, as well as a FAMILY PHOTO BOOTH. Please join us for this event!

SUNDAY, MARCH 31ST , is Easter this year. We will begin the day with a SUNRISE SERVICE at 7AM. Following that, we will have our EASTER SERVICE at 10:30AM. This exciting service will feature worship led by the Bethel Worship Team, a presentation by an Acting Major from Shenandoah University, a presentation by our Youth Group, and a Sermon by Pastor Steven Schetrom.

Finally, on APRIL 7TH , we will have a SEDER MEAL at 10:30AM for our regular Sunday Morning Worship Service. This will be our Third Annual Seder Meal. This year, we will have the meal in our Main Sanctuary, as we ran out of room in our Fellowship Hall last year during this event.

All are welcome to attend these events. We would love to see you!

For your convenience, here is an EVENT LIST for March and the beginning of April, 2024:

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

Movie Night—“The Boys In The Boat”
Doors open at 6PM; Movie begins at 6:30PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 24

David Koff lead Worship
Jim Wratchford Testimony
Service begins at 10:30AM

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

Easter Egg Hunt—2PM
Bake Sale
Family Photo Booth
Event begins at 2PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

Sunrise Service—7AM
Easter Service—10:30AM
Bethel Worship Team
Shenendoah University Acting Major Performance
Youth Church Skit/Song
Sermon (Steven Schetrom)

SUNDAY, APRIL 7

Seder Meal
Service begins at 10:30AM

You Can Do More Than You Think You Can

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 15:10:53 GMT

John 6:1-14

I remember, when I was young, my mother used to read the book, "The Little Engine That Could," to me. I can still hear those words, "I think I can, I think I can," the story's signature phrase, as the little engine slowly but determinedly succeeds in pulling the train over the mountain.

The moral of this children's bedtime story is still important to both you and me today. You can do more than you think you can! If you are having trouble believing that you will ever get to where you need to be, please change those thoughts. The truth is, you can do more than you think you can.

Think about the story, from John 6:1-15 , of the boy with five loaves and two fish. This story teaches us, in the words of Art Rainer , that "Multiplication is a result of God's work, not our work." Rainer says, "The boy handed over his meal. This was certainly an act of trust and sacrifice. But the boy did not feed the five thousand. Nor did the disciples feed the five thousand. The boy and the disciples were simply participants. The people were fed by Jesus."

To finally realize this truth, that you can do more than you think you can, you will need to do some things. However, to the willing and faithful heart, this truth is complete and total--YOU CAN DO MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU CAN!

Desperation Can Lead To Innovation

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 15 May 2023 19:04:25 GMT

Thoughts on Sunday, May 14th Sermon

Yesterday, we shared a sermon titled, "Even If Someone Rises From The Dead." The focus of the sermon was on the conclusion of the well-known Rich Man and Lazarus parable from Luke 16 . In the final verse of that text (vs 31), Abraham tells the rich man that "(i)f they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." For me, this is quite a shocking statement. Certainly, one would think a bodily resurrection would suffice to incline people towards belief, but not according to Father Abraham in this classis parable of Jesus.

What did Jesus mean by these words? Two verses prior to this (vs 29), Abraham had indicated that Moses and the prophets (the Scriptures) should be enough to cause hearers to believe. It seems that Jesus is saying that the heart of the hearer, rather than externalities, is of primary importance in determining faith. This leads me to the main point of this sermon follow-up.

Our heart condition at any given point in our life will determine whether or not we are able to hear from God. Sometimes, we are not desperate enough to hear. If you are in need of a personally innovative idea (i.e. a new direction), then resolve to cultivate your level of hunger, or desperation. Christ's promise is that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, and that "they will be filled." ( Matthew 5:6 )

Keep moving forward my friend.

Why Relaunch?

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:12:39 GMT

We had a very successful Relaunch Service yesterday. This service was made possible by years of work by our Leadership Team and Congregation. We believe it is imperative that we continue to move forward in these efforts. The reasoning behind our relaunch effort is expressed below, in the Executive Summary of our Five-Year Strategic Plan.

Bethel Assembly of God believes that worldwide events over the last couple of years warrant the establishment of a re-launch effort. The culture in which the church exists is experiencing a rapid decline, with many experiencing confusion regarding the correct posture of the church in the world. The proposed re-launch effort will help clarify the church’s position related to its members as well as the broader community.

The re-launch effort will be made up of key components. These include: 1) A new Mission Statement; 2) A five year Strategic Plan; 3) The establishment of Key Measurables which will provide a Feedback Loop so that ongoing and regular adjustments can be made.

These components will provide value to the organization. First, they will inform both current and prospective members about where the church has actively chosen to place its attention, resources, and focus over the next five years. Second, they will allow for new members to more readily see how they can contribute to the church’s mission, as focus areas will be highlighted continuously. Finally, they will allow decision-makers to more easily evaluate the viability of all ministry ideas that come before them. If a proposed idea doesn’t pass inspection when evaluated against the Strategic Plan, it will need to be dismissed, at least in the near term.

The commencement of the re-launch effort is immensely important to the long-term viability of Bethel Assembly of God. This ongoing effort will force the organization, in a positive way, to become a more lean and well-run organization, and will lead to long-term health and vitality.

To see our complete Five-Year Strategic Plan, please visit here .

Please consider joining our congregation, to work together with us to impact our community, nation, and world.

Blessings to you and yours!

The Kindness of God to Broken People

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:35:25 GMT

2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 9

The message from this-past Sunday dealt with God's kindness to broken people, as shown in the Old Testament story of Mephibosheth. Here are three focus points from the sermon:

The Message of the Gospel is for Anyone--In 2 Samuel 9:1, David asks, "Is there anyone..." God is not looking for someone special, he is looking for anyone. As Kevin Presley shares at Let the Bible Speak , "David isn’t asking if there is someone who is qualified, good enough, smart enough or of use to him in his army. He asked if there was anyone. That’s the question that the church needs to be asking today. It’s the question that Jesus came into the world asking."
The Kindness of David is a Picture of God's Kindness--Here, again, Kevin Presley's words ring true: "David asks for any of the house of Saul…Saul, who hated him and tried to destroy him. Saul, who gathered all of his friends in the royal court and conspired against him. Who chased him across the hills of Israel like a wounded animal. Is there any of HIS house to whom I may show kindness? Friend, that is a picture of grace! David was a man after God’s own heart. That is so vividly seen in how David is now seeking the descendants of Jonathan to honor the promise that he had made."
God Has a Place for Wounded People--David invited Mephibosheth to take a place at his table all of the days of his life. God's invitation to you is the same. The picture of Mephibosheth's sitting at the table of David provides a great representation of God's invitation to us.

We hope that you are encouraged by this great Biblical story of God's love today!

End-Of-Year Update

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 17:53:32 GMT

Our church wants to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

As we come to the end of 2022, I am very proud to report one of our best years at Bethel Life Church. Here are some of the projects we have completed during the final months of this year:

- Adopted four children for Christmas. Our Helping Hands Ministry donated $633.94 in Christmas gifts to these children, in hopes they will experience the joy of Christmas this year.

- Delivered 46 shoeboxes to needy children through Operation Christmas Child.

- Donated $3,000 to help repair a roof for a church in South Africa.

- Established a non-profit, called Bethel Life Solutions, Inc., so that we can do more to help our community in 2023 and the years ahead.

See photos attached.

These are just some of the recent projects we have completed. We have plans for much more in 2023. If possible, would you help us out by going to the following link, so that we can finish the year strong, and be prepared to complete important projects in 2023: https://bethellife.breezechms.com/give/online

Donations can also be mailed to the church at: 111 Totten Lane, Front Royal, VA 22630.

**UPDATE: Some have already given through our online giving page. THANK YOU for your generosity! Your gift will help us reach important goals for 2023!

PLEASE NOTE: Our Christmas Service this-coming Sunday will be virtual-only. Please check out our virtual Christmas Service on Facebook @bethelassemblyfrontroyal, and on our YouTube channel at Bethellife Church.

One Touch Women's Ministry Meeting Overview

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 17:23:01 GMT

November 16, 2022 Meeting Overview

by Jean Kimble

The One Touch Women’s Ministry was held at Bethel Life Church on Wednesday evening,

November 16 th , 2022 at 6:30 PM in the church fellowship hall. There were 8 ladies present. Topic for discussion this month was actually an exercise: we made vision boards for 2023. Proverbs 29:18 says that without vision, the people perish. We discussed the importance of setting goals (visions) and keeping them before us so we do not lose focus on what we want to work towards. This is what a vision board does: reinforces and reminds us every day of what we want to achieve in the coming year by keeping the imagery before us. The objective is to take the

board home, put it in a prominent place where each lady will see hers every single day. It could be in the bed or bathroom, the kitchen, pantry, a work room, or in a hallway, wherever the person will look directly at it as she passes it.

Each person brought in her own board with computer or magazine/newspaper photos and ribbons or other decorations with which to decorate her own board and make it uniquely hers. Several brought in markers or computer printed information to describe what some of the images meant, or to post written wishes that there were no images for. After a short time of fellowship and food, we opened with prayer and got to work on our boards. The goals ranged from professional, personal, family, church, and all present had a mixture of these goals on their boards. Several had not made a vision board before. It was all great fun as we sat around conversing, asking questions, and then explaining what everything meant on our individual boards to the group when everyone was finished. It was a time of delving deep and sharing what God was showing

us in various aspects of our lives. It was also a great time of bonding closer, supporting and

uplifting one another. All of us had a rewarding and delightful time. We build women!

One Touch Women's Ministry

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 17:07:20 GMT

An Introduction

by Jean Kimble, One Touch Women's Ministry Leader

Bethel Life Church has initiated a new women’s ministry, meeting in our church fellowship hall

every 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM. Everybody brings in some light refreshments to

share, since several may not get to eat dinner before the meeting. There’s usually something

substantial in addition to fruit and/or sweet things, plus coffee. After a short time of fellowship,

we begin our discussions. The meetings are “officially” over at 8:00 PM, but anyone who needs

prayer, support, encouragement, etc. is welcome to stay later and we have unabashedly done so!

In order to foster the freedom to share, it is most important to maintain an atmosphere of “safety”

for all people who attend so they can freely voice problems and issues that are weighing on their

hearts and lives, be it personal, relational, or professional. Therefore, our number one rule is

“What is said within these walls, stays within these walls.” Confidentiality is key when

discussing personal problems or situations. The coming together of praying, nurturing,

supportive, mentoring women can help move those mountains. Our church motto is “We Build

People.” One Touch Women’s Ministry’s aim is building women into the strong, confident

people we were meant to be as we seek to find and develop God’s calling on our lives.

We are currently studying/discussing the book THE RICH, THE POOR, AND THE NAKED

—Finding Peace out of Turmoil from the Lives of Twelve Biblical Women, by Jean Kimble. All

of the women in this book have experienced various circumstances in their lives that most of us

experience today in one form or another. We discuss these issues and choices, how we handle

them, what we could’ve done better, what we learned. An important take-away is that although

times and cultures have changed through the millennia, the human heart hasn’t. These women in

the Bible had to make difficult choices and face them with courage and conviction. In doing so,

they found their callings and achieved the destinies God had prepared for them. We, too, were

created and called for a special purpose. Every one of us is a one-of-a-kind; we will touch others

in ways unique only to us, and each of us has a special destiny designed by God. What would

happen if we never achieved it?

The following is an overview of our October meeting on Rahab the Harlot, found in the Old

Testament book of Joshua, chapters 2 and 6, and chapter 4 of our study book, plus some of the

questions we discussed:

“…This is a wonderful ‘testimony’ story! Testimonies are so important to those of us struggling

in our own situations, new believers juggling their old worlds and friends vs their new lives in

Christ, and for unbelievers who can see the miracles and peace in the lives of believers. This is

something we need to get used to sharing easily. I’m hoping we’ll hear some tonight!

Who remembers what their lives were like before they came to know the Lord? Have you ever

given your testimony to anyone? On more than one occasion? Privately? Before a group or

crowd? How did you feel about it?

Rahab started out life selling her body for money; she was a prostitute. But then, she found

herself in a situation where she had to make a big decision. It changed her life and it saved her

life. Most of us here in the U.S. don’t have our lives threatened by our decisions to follow Jesus

as Lord.

Do you believe accepting Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior has saved your life here on

earth? How so? Why do you believe it’s so difficult for people in our culture today to believe in

the simple fact of God’s truth and grace?

Last Sunday, Pastor Steve preached on sanctification: preparing believers for their callings so

they can fulfill the plans He has for their lives. For most of us, we aren’t ready to jump right into

our callings as soon as we’re saved. We’re ‘believers’ and ‘Children of God’, but not ‘Christ-

like’…yet. It’s a process and takes time (in my case, a very LONG time!).

Why do you think sanctification takes time? Is it hard, or relatively easy? Do you suddenly

‘arrive’, or will you ever get there? What do you think happens if you just can’t seem to meet

that goal? Would you give up or keep plodding? As the four-year-old says, ‘Are we there yet?’

Once Rahab threw in with God, she changed the way she thought and how she lived her life.

Rahab didn’t have much time for reflection on all this! She had to make a decision and act on it

immediately. Can you imagine what a powerful testimony her was??

How did y’all’s stories change once you made that leap of faith? How did your thoughts and

actions change? What do we know about Rahab that indicates she met the standard for

sanctification?

What hints or promptings do you believe God has or is giving you that are pointing you towards

your calling? Have you acted on any of it? What might be holding you back? Do you think you

need to take baby steps before you can leap?...”

We did indeed have fabulous discussions on these questions and many others, plus incredible

testimonies from many members! We would love to have you join us for a wonderful time of

sharing food, fellowship, fun, and lively discussions!

Serious Times

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 16:01:35 GMT

Reflections on "Living in Serious Times," by James Emery White

Before turning in last evening, I spent some time reading through numerous blog posts contained within a substantive website I recently discovered, called " Church and Culture ." One of the articles struck me on a deep level. The article is called " Living in Serious Times ," written by James Emery White , former President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary .

In the post, White tells the story of a profoundly life-altering experience that occurred in his life when he was still a young man. The experience happened, of all times, while he was watching "the second installment of the original Star Wars trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back."

Of this experience, and his thoughts following it, White says:

"Then it came to me as startlingly sudden as a rip of lightning and as soundingly affirmed as any thunder that could follow: That's what God's invitation to the Christ-life is all about! There is a galactic struggle going on, and I could be a warrior. I could give my life to something that was bigger than I was, that would live on long after I was gone. What I did mattered and could impact all of history—even into eternity."

These feelings regarding our time and place in eternity are something we should all share. Truly we live in serious times presently, and the situation calls for serious people. As Christ said, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

I pray that you shine today!

Sources

https://www.churchandculture.org/blog/2022/6/30/living-in-serious-times

Meeting Needs

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 14:50:30 GMT

Funding Raised to Repair Church/Community Center Facility at ELIM Full Gospel Church in South Africa

During the final night of Bethel Life Revival 2022 on Wednesday, October 12th, Johan Bruwer shared with the church a need related to necessary repairs at ELIM Full Gospel Church in Durban, South Africa. You can find a document related to those needed repairs here .

One of the goals of our 2022 Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction fundraiser was to use funds raised to provide $3,000 towards meeting this need. I am happy to report that a check was sent from the church this week to cover this!

In following our mission to meet needs in our community, the Bethel Life Helping Hands ministry is continuing to raise money to adopt a family or families for Christmas this year. If you would like to give towards this effort of helping those most in need in our community, you can do so here . Your one-time or recurring donation will make a difference in our community!

Please leave comments, and let us know your thoughts.

#bethellife #webuildpeople

Breakfast, Book, and Bible Club --Wednesday, October 27 Follow-Up

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 14:12:28 GMT

We host a Breakfast, Book, and Bible Club meeting in our church Fellowship Hall every Wednesday morning at 9am. We try to limit the meeting to one hour in length. The food is great at these meetings, and the discussions make attendance worthwhile. Everyone is invited to attend. We would love to see you at our next meeting!

Currently, we are discussing a book called " Signs ," by Dr. David Jeremiah. This past Wednesday, the focus was on Chapter 6 of the book, which highlights materialism as a cultural sign at the end of the age. One key verse pinpointed in the chapter was Matthew 6:21 , where Jesus says that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The word choice used by Jesus is very interesting here. Notice he does not say that you should set your heart on something, and that your treasure will follow your heart. Instead, he insists that our actions can be used to indicate our treasure , and that our heart will naturally follow our actions.

This idea is more thoroughly discussed within an article called " The Fatal Failures of Religion: #4 Materialism ," where the author says "(t)he first principle undergirding the precept just put forth is found in verse 21: 'For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.' Generally we are inclined to think just the reverse of this. We suppose that a man will first fix his heart on something and then his money naturally follows. But our Lord says that our heart follows our pocketbook. If I were to buy an old broken down car it would not at that point be a great object of my affection. But after I had spent countless hours in restoring it, not to mention a good deal of money, it would be the ‘apple of my eye.’

Where we spend our money, where we appropriate our material goods and our personal time, is where our heart will be. I might go so far as to apply this principle to marriage. To the extent that we invest heavily, both in time and money, we will find our affections more and more developed and committed."

So, what is the lesson for us in this? If your heart has just not been right recently, try taking correct actions and allowing your heart to follow the lead of your actions. This will require discipline on your part, but just may help you get back on track.

Please leave comments, and let us know your thoughts.

#bethellife #webuildpeople

Is Jesus More Like Mother Teresa Or William Wallace?

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:07:00 GMT

A Religion With Power

Recently, I began reading " Wild at Heart ," by John Eldredge . This book is targeted towards men, and seeks to give them an understanding of their needs as men.

Near the beginning of the book, author John Eldredge raises the question, "Is Jesus more like Mother Teresa or William Wallace?" He states first that it depends on the needs of the seeker. Certainly, if the seeker has sensitivities that require the touch of a gentle Savior, then Jesus has that capacity. He goes on to say, however, that in dealing with the religious and political leaders of his time, Jesus demonstrated characteristics much more like William Wallace than Mother Teresa.

For instance, look at Luke 13:10-14 (NLT):

"One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, 'Woman, you are healed of your sickness!' Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised and thanked God! But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. 'There are six days of the week for working,' he said to the crowd. 'Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.'"

It should be noted that Jesus has already had numerous skirmishes with these leaders. In fact, Luke 6:11 (NLT) says that these instances of conflict had left these leaders "wild with rage." Even so, Jesus does not tiptoe around the issue so as to "preserve unity!" To pick up where we left off in Luke 13, observe Jesus' response to these leaders in verses 15-17:

"But the Lord replied, 'You hypocrite! You work on the Sabbath day! Don't you untie your ox or your donkey from their stalls on the Sabbath and lead them out for water? Wasn't it necessary for me, even on the Sabbath day, to free this dear woman from the bondage in which Satan has held her for eighteen years?' This shamed his enemies. And all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did."

As John Eldredge summarizes regarding this text, "Christ draws the enemy out, exposes him for what he is, and shames him in front of everyone. The Lord is a gentleman?! God has a battle to fight, and the battle is for our freedom."

You can be sure that ours is a religion with teeth. Ignoring this will cause you to miss some of the characteristics of Jesus, and could explain why you are not finding Christianity completely fulfilling .

Release Your Potential

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 15:02:31 GMT

Message by Dr. Johan Bruwer on October 11, 2022

SERMON

RELEASE YOUR POTENTIAL, by Dr. Johan Bruwer on October 11, 2022

JOHN 12:24

POTENTIAL

Potential is all you can be, but have not yet become.
Failure to reach potential is the reason churches are shrinking numerically.
What do you have in your hand? You may say, a grain of wheat, but a farmer would say a harvest.
WHAT DO YOU THINK JESUS SAW WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE CROSS?
Hebrews 12:1-2–“who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross.”
Jesus saw the bigger picture!
John 4:34–“You must see the bigger picture!”
**Unless the farmer creates an atmosphere for death, he will never see a harvest.**
Story of the planting of the grain of wheat, and how it produces an atmosphere of death.
John 12:26–Follow the example, in living, and if need be, in dying—be conformed to him.
John 3:30
1 Corinthians 15:31
Galatians 2:20
When is the last time you have spoken to someone about Jesus?

Called To Serve

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 14:48:08 GMT

Notes from message by Dr. Johan Bruwer on October 12, 2022

REVIVAL THEME

CALLED TO SERVE

WEDNESDAY NIGHT—October 12, 2022

A vision keeps people from doing their own thing.
Vision gives direction and purpose.
God never gives us the whole picture at once—a vision is progressive.
Vision always calls for sacrifice!
Who should be the vision bearers?
1 Corinthians 12:14-19
New International Version
14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?
Your vision will precede your mission.
Following the creation of vision and mission, you need to develop a strategy for accomplishing your vision.

A Message To Garcia

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 14:15:49 GMT

Re-post of 1899 article by Elbert Hubbard

A Message to Garcia

Elbert Hubbard

1899

https://courses.csail.mit.edu/6.803/pdf/hubbard1899.pdf

In all this Cuban business there is one man stands out on the horizon of my memory like Mars

at perihelion.

When war broke out between Spain and the United States, it was very necessary to communicate quickly with the leader of the Insurgents. Garcia was somewhere in the mountain fastnesses of Cuba - no one knew where. No mail or telegraph could reach him. The President must secure his co-operation, and quickly.

What to do!

Someone said to the President, “There’s a fellow by the name of Rowan will find Garcia

for you, if anybody can.” Rowan was sent for and given a letter to be delivered to Garcia. How “the fellow by

name of Rowan” took the letter, sealed it up in an oil-skin pouch, strapped it over his heart,

in four days landed by night off the coast of Cuba from an open boat, disappeared into the

jungle, and in three weeks came out on the other side of the island, having traversed a hostile

country on foot, and having delivered his letter to Garcia, are things I have no special desire

now to tell in detail. The point I wish to make is this: McKinley gave Rowan a letter to be

delivered to Garcia; Rowan took the letter and did not ask, “Where is he at?”

By the Eternal! There is a man whose form should be cast in deathless bronze and

the statue placed in every college in the land. It is not book-learning young men need, nor

instruction about this or that, but a stiffening of the vertebrae which will cause them to be

loyal to a trust, to act promptly, concentrate their energies; do the thing - “carry a message

to Garcia!”

General Garcia is dead now, but there are other Garcias. No man, who has endeavored

to carry out an enterprise where many hands were needed, but has been well-nigh appalled

at times by the imbecility of the average man - the inability or unwillingness to concentrate

on a thing and do it.

Slipshod assistance, foolish inattention, dowdy indifference, and half-hearted work seem

the rule; and no man succeeds, unless by hook or crook, or threat, he forces or bribes other

men to assist him; or mayhap, God in His goodness performs a miracle, and sends him an

Angel of Light for an assistant.

You, reader, put this matter to a test: You are sitting now in your office—six clerks are

within your call. Summon any one and make this request: “Please look in the encyclopedia

and make a brief memorandum for me concerning the life of Corregio.”

Will the clerk quietly say, “Yes, sir,” and go do the task?

On your life, he will not. He will look at you out of a fishy eye, and ask one or more of

the following questions:

Who was he?

Which encyclopedia?

Where is the encyclopedia?

Was I hired for that?

Don’t you mean Bismarck?

What’s the matter with Charlie doing it?

Is he dead?

Is there any hurry?

Shan’t I bring you the book and let you look it up yourself?

What do you want to know for?

And I will lay you ten to one that after you have answered the questions, and explained

how to find the information, and why you want it, the clerk will go off and get one of the

other clerks to help him find Garcia - and then come back and tell you there is no such man.

Of course I may lose my bet, but according to the Law of Average, I will not.

Now if you are wise you will not bother to explain to your “assistant” that Corregio is

indexed under the C’s, not in the K’s, but you will smile sweetly and say, “Never mind,” and

go look it up yourself. And this incapacity for independent action, this moral stupidity, this

infirmity of the will, this unwillingness to cheerfully catch hold and lift, are the things that

put pure socialism so far into the future. If men will not act for themselves, what will they do

when the benefit of their effort is for all?

A first mate with knotted club seems necessary; and the dread of getting “the bounce”

Saturday night holds many a worker in his place.

Advertise for a stenographer, and nine times out of ten who apply can neither spell nor

punctuate - and do not think it necessary to.

Can such a one write a letter to Garcia?

“You see that bookkeeper,” said the foreman to me in a large factory.

“Yes, what about him?”

“Well, he’s a fine accountant, but if I’d send him to town on an errand, he might accom-

plish the errand all right, and, on the other hand, might stop at four saloons on the way, and

when he got to Main Street, would forget what he had been sent for.”

Can such a man be entrusted to carry a message to Garcia?

We have recently been hearing much maudlin sympathy expressed for the “down-trodden

denizen of the sweat shop” and the “homeless wanderer searching for honest employment,”

and with it all often go many hard words for the men in power.

Nothing is said about the employer who grows old before his time in a vain attempt to

get frowsy ne’er-do-wells to do intelligent work; and his long patient striving with “help” that

does nothing but loaf when his back is turned. In every store and factory there is a constant

weeding-out process going on. The employer is constantly sending away “help” that have

shown their incapacity to further the interests of the business, and others are being taken on.

No matter how good times are, this sorting continues, only if times are hard and work is

scarce, this sorting is done finer - but out and forever out, the incompetent and unworthy go.

It is the survival of the fittest. self-interest prompts every employer to keep the best-those who

can carry a message to Garcia.

I know one man of really brilliant parts who has not the ability to manage a business

of his own, and yet who is absolutely worthless to anyone else, because he carries with him

constantly the insane suspicion that his employer is oppressing, or intending to oppress, him.

He can not give orders, and he will not receive them. Should a message be given him to take

to Garcia, his answer would probably be, “Take it yourself.”

Tonight this man walks the streets looking for work, the wind whistling through his

threadbare coat. No one who knows him dare employ him, for he is a regular firebrand of

discontent. He is impervious to reason, and the only thing that can impress him is the toe of

a thick-soled No. 9 boot.

Of course I know that one so morally deformed is no less to be pitied than a physical

cripple; but in your pitying, let us drop a tear, too, for the men who are striving to carry

on a great enterprise, whose working hours are not limited by the whistle, and whose hair

is fast turning white through the struggle to hold the line in dowdy indifference, slipshod

imbecility, and the heartless ingratitude which, but for their enterprise, would be both hungry

and homeless.

Have I put the matter too strongly? Possibly I have; but when all the world has gone

a-slumming I wish to speak a word of sympathy for the man who succeeds - the man who,

against great odds, has directed the efforts of others, and, having succeeded, finds there’s

nothing in it: nothing but bare board and clothes. I have carried a dinner-pail and worked for

a day’s wages, and I have also been an employer of labor, and I know there is something to be

said on both sides. There is no excellence, per se, in poverty; rags are no recommendation; and

all employers are not rapacious and high-handed, any more than all poor men are virtuous.

My heart goes out to the man who does his work when the “boss” is away, as well as when he

is home. And the man who, when given a letter for Garcia, quietly takes the missive, without

asking any idiotic questions, and with no lurking intention of chucking it into the nearest

sewer, or of doing aught else but deliver it, never gets “laid off,” nor has to go on strike for

higher wages. Civilization is one long anxious search for just such individuals. Anything such

a man asks will be granted; his kind is so rare that no employer can afford to let him go. He

is wanted in every city, town, and village - in every office, shop, store and factory. The world

cries out for such; he is needed, and needed badly—the man who can

Carry a message to Garcia.

Helping Hands-Warren County

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 13:56:35 GMT

From August 31, 2022

The Helping Hands-Warren County Committee met on August 31, 2022. Committee Chair Hannah Clawson began the meeting by presenting a list of projects that the group is currently working on.

First, the committee is sponsoring a Spaghetti Dinner on October 22, 2022 from 5-8pm at Bethel Assembly of God. The committee is looking for volunteers to help with the dinner. Volunteers will perform duties including kitchen preparation, meal preparation, meal service, and cleanup. Additionally, the committee is seeking donations for the event. These donations can include food items as well as items for a silent auction that is also being planned to coincide with the dinner.

Next, the committee discussed helping with an event that is being planned by Blue Ridge Opportunities in Front Royal, VA. The committee is looking for volunteers as well as donations to help with this event. There will be a red wagon at the church beginning Sunday, September 4th, in which individuals can place donated items that will be taken by the committee to Blue Ridge Opportunities to be given out on the day of the event.

Additionally, the committee is continuing to distribute gift bags to local organizations in the Warren County area. These gift bags are for the purpose of expressing appreciation to all the folks who work so hard to make our community great.

Finally, the committee began making plans for a Christmas gift project. This project is currently in the early planning stages. The committee plans to adopt a family this Christmas season, and will provide gifts to that family out of monetary donations that have come to the committee to support this project.

If you would like to give towards the Helping Hands-Warren County ministry of Bethel Assembly of God, please use the QR Code below to establish a recurring or one-time donation. Please do consider giving to this worthy cause. Thank you in advance for your generous donation!

Bethel Life Sanctuary Experience

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 14:32:25 GMT

From August 29, 2022

The church hosted its third Sanctuary Experience on Monday, August 29th, 2022. We continue to see increased attendance with each new iteration of this ministry. In fact, the event has nearly tripled in attendance since its inception on August 1st. Most importantly, however, the Sanctuary Experience serves as a venue for praise, worship, and intercession to our God, who is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (emphasis mine) ." ( Ephesians 3:20 )

The August 29th adaptation of the Sanctuary Experience began with an admonition in the spirit of a quote from the late Charles Spurgeon, who said, "I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church." Participants were reminded that this quote, although historic, regrettably still rings true.

The central text for the Experience was taken from Colossians 1:9-14 .

Following is a list of focus areas that the church is praying for currently:

Pray for our country: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 33:12; Psalm 33:20-22; 1 Timothy 2:1-9
Pray for our community: 1 Peter 4:8-11; Romans 2:3-13
Pray for our children/schools and safety: Proverbs 22:6; Isaiah 54:13; Deuteronomy 5:29; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Samuel 22:3-4
Pray to be used to spread the gospel: Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 6:9; Psalm 96:3
Pray for ministry in the church: Romans 12:6 (Prayer Ministry; Helping Hands Ministry; Women's Ministry; Outreach; Upcoming Revival)
Pray for our pastor and church leadership: Proverbs 3:5-6; Joshua 1:9 (Pray for spiritual protection, enlightenment, and encouragement)
Pray for financial needs of the church: Proverbs 10:22; Philippians 4:9
Pray for the needs of others (i.e. intercessory prayer): Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1

Please join with us in praying for these needs. Additionally, please consider joining us for the next Sanctuary Experience, which will be held on Monday, September 12th, 2022 at 7pm.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 22:54:21 GMT

Yesterday's message was entitled "The Entrepreneurial Spirit." The focus of the message was that God has given every person a spirit of entrepreneurship, and that the Spirit of God Himself is essentially entrepreneurial.

According to Dr. Brian Baugus , "(e)ntrepreneurship is a creative act made possible by the creative impulse that God gave us." This creative act "brings higher levels of satisfaction to people, results in more order, and finds ways to create greater value than existed before." Several examples of the entrepreneurial spirit exist in the Bible.

One such example is in the life of Abraham. When Abraham and Lot separate in Genesis 13, Lot takes for himself the fertile plain, leaving for Abraham a presumably less attractive area in which to settle his family. However, even though left with the seemingly less-than-ideal choice, God tremendously blesses Abraham, and by Genesis 21 he is " making treaties with kings and generals ." Abraham had a vision for the future, and the perseverance to see it through.

God can make good out of a less-than-ideal situation. ( Genesis 50:20 ) When considering whether or not to move forward in the spirit of entrepreneurship, consider this: Would you rather stay where you are, and as a result be mediocre, or would you rather try, and maybe fail, but at least give yourself a chance to succeed, and grow, and become better?

God has great plans for you my friend! Continue to follow Him in the spirit of entrepreneurship that He has given you, and you are sure to have good success. ( Joshua 1:8 )

#bethellife

#webuildpeople

What To Do When You Feel Stuck

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 20:38:32 GMT

I began reading a new book recently, titled, The Education of a Value Investor , by Guy Spier. I like this book quite a lot so far, and highly recommend it.

In the initial stages of the book, Spier writes about a very rough patch he encountered very early in his career. During this experience, he felt stuck and unable to move forward. However, an initially resisted visit to a conference hosted by a popular self-help guru helped him move forward. In detailing the experience, Spier relates the following:

"Robbins (self-help guru) hammered into my head the idea that, if you want to go somewhere, anywhere, and you're stuck, 'Just Do It! Just make a move! Any move!' This might be obvious to many. It was obvious to me. But my bias toward analysis-paralysis meant that it was easier for me to pontificate in a library than to act. Robbins convinced me that I had to break the patterns of negative thought, push through my fears, and get moving."

If you feel stuck today, what was true for Guy Spier may also be true for you. Sometimes you just need to make a move...any move. Do not allow fear to rule your life. Begin moving forward in a positive direction today!

Flag Presentation Service Featuring Sergeant Major (Ret.) James McGruder

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 17:36:14 GMT

Celebrating Independence Day--July 4, 2022

Bethel Assembly of God (111 Totten Lane, Front Royal, VA 22630) was honored to host Sergeant Major (US Army Retired) James McGruder on Sunday, June 26 ^th , 2022 for a very memorable flag presentation service. The service was arranged by Tim Wolfe, a church member and Warren County resident, and was planned to coincide with the church’s annual Independence Day celebrations.

SGM McGruder entered the U.S. Army in February 1983 and attended Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was awarded the MOS 13B Field Artillery. After basic training, he was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas as part of the 1st 92nd Field Artillery, 8 Inch Battalion (BN).

SGM McGruder deployed to Iraq with Alpha Battery 5-18 Field Artillery as part of Desert Shield/Storm in November 1990. While in Iraq, he risked his life to extinguish a fire in a M548 ammunition carrier in order to save the M110 Howitzer’s combat ammunition load; he took this action selflessly, without hesitation and without formal recognition of his heroism.

SGM McGruder is passionate about mentorship and ensuring the future success of the NCO Corps. In 2003, as the Senior Professional Development NCO for the Field Artillery Branch in the Human Resources Command (HRC), SGM McGruder managed over 24,000 Soldiers and expertly advised the Branch Chief and Sergeant Major on military education requirements, career progression and Military Occupational Specialty structure. While assigned to HRC, SGM McGruder was selected over more than 26 NCOs to serve as the President of the Human Resources Command, Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.

SGM McGruder has also been instrumental in developing young Officers. In July of 2009, SGM McGruder was selected by the Cadet Command CSM to serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, United States Army Cadet Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia. His selfless service and devotion to mission accomplishment made lasting impacts in training operations and opportunities throughout the command.

SGM McGruder on August 7, 2014 had the distinct privilege of introducing former president Barrack Obama prior to him signing The Veterans Affairs Overhaul Bill. This bill signed into law a 16.3 billion dollar measure to help overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs, the agency that in recent months had faced intense criticism for long wait time for health care and manipulation of records. This was the first time in American history that an active duty Sergeant Major had ever introduced a sitting president.

SGM McGruder’s last assignment was at Fort Belvoir Garrison operations, where he served as an Enlisted Advisor to the Garrison Commander. After more than 32 years of military service, SGM McGruder retired on February 28, 2015. SGM McGruder is married to the former Tammy Buerl and they have been married for 34 years. They have two children, daughter Jamecia and son James.

The Flag Presentation Service honored Pastor Steven A. Schetrom II for his dedication to the community. Bethel Assembly of God is a growing and community-minded church working to positively impact the Front Royal-Warren County community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As an example of its dedication to the community, the church is currently working to distribute gift bags to community agency employees and volunteers to show their appreciation and support for the hard work those individuals do in the community.

Weekly services are held at Bethel Assembly of God each Sunday at 10:30am. The church also hosts or sponsors several small groups each week. The church’s mission is “to be a vital community of loving disciples committed to building one another up so that each reaches their full potential.” More information about the church can be found online at www.bethellife.org or by emailing info@bethellife.org.

Thoughts on "Wandering in the Wilderness"

pastorsteven@bethellife.org (Steven Schetrom) — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 17:23:08 GMT

Thoughts from February 27, 2022 Sermon

As the article Gifts of the Wilderness exlplains, "(w)ilderness seasons are bewildering and lonely. Sometimes it’s easy to identify how you arrived in a desolate place—down paths with names like Diagnosis, or Loss, or Depression. Other times you find yourself in a malaise or a spiritual wasteland seemingly out of nowhere. You were making progress, arranging your life appropriately, and then you took a left turn at Albuquerque and the landscape became fiercely inhospitable."

As we talked about during the sermon yesterday, Christians many times find themselves confronted by a wilderness experience. This experience is actually a theme running throughout the Bible. If today you feel overwhelmed by your experience, please take heart. Concerning the nation of Israel, the Scriptures indicate that God "took them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness." ( Ezekiel 20:10 ) However, those same Scriptures also clarify that God "led His people through the wilderness, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." ( Psalm 136:16 )

Beloved, there is nothing in your life that is unimportant to God. Everything matters to Him ( Luke 12:7 ). Trust Him today. Your life is in His hands, and He will be faithful to see you through. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:24 )

THANKSGIVING

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 15:37:00 GMT

Thanksgiving

verses related to thanksgiving

be encouraged

HOW TO DEAL WITH FEAR AND ANGER

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 17:45:00 GMT

As author Tim LaHaye states in his book, Why You Act The Way You Do, "What you are emotionally is what you are!" He goes on to opine that this statement may be a little strong, but it is very close to reality. Of all our emotions, fear and anger rank as two of the most important, and perhaps most potentially destructive as well. This statement, made by LaHaye, is very telling regarding the influence of fear and anger in our lives. He states, "Anger and fear in their many forms are th [...]

GOD HAS HAND-PICKED YOU

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 13:02:00 GMT

[...]

THE CHRISTIAN'S FREEDOM

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 15:44:00 GMT

[...]

FOR THE HUNGRY

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 20:47:00 GMT

[...]

THE IMPORTANCE OF SILENCE, SOLITUDE, AND CONTEMPLATION

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 21:21:00 GMT

[...]

DON'T GIVE UP ON THE JOURNEY (Kelly Martin)

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 17:20:00 GMT

[...]

INNER MOTIVATION VS. EXTERTAL MOTIVATION

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:31:00 GMT

[...]

THE TWO ADVOCATES FOR THE CHRISTIAN

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 12:44:00 GMT

[...]

HOW TO ENJOY THE JOURNEY

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 01:23:00 GMT

[...]

Bethel Assembly Of God​ - The School of Christ

Sermon Follow-Up

From Sermon on March 9, 2025

The Will Of God

Sermon Follow-Up--from March 2, 2025

Royal Rangers Outpost Meeting

Monday March 10th @ 5PM

Interview With Tony Kensinger (FRESH Ministries)

In preparation for our Valentine's Day event coming up February 14, 2025

Upcoming Events--January 27, 2025

Valentine Dinner Date Night Feb. 14th 6:30PM

B uy Tickets Here

1/31/2025 Family Movie Night

Special Leadership Service Feb. 16th 10:30AM

February 16th 10:30am

2/21/2025 Family Movie Night

01/19/2025 “New Year’s Resolutions, Part 3”

01/05/2025 “New Year’s Resolution, Part 1-Taking Care of Yourself”

12/29/2024 "Beginnings"

12/22/2024 "Christmas 2024-Part 4"

Christmas Service 12/22 10:30am

Christmas Service, Sunday the 22nd @ 10:30am

Family Movie Night with Santa! 12/21 3:30pm

Saturday December 21st 3:30pm

12/15/2024 "Christmas 2024-Part 3"

12/08/2024 -Guest Speaker: Delores Riley Oates

12/01/2024 "Christmas 2024-Part 1"

11/24/2024 "Solving Problems"

11/17/2024 "Justification"

10/27/2024 "Practice"

11/03/2024 "You Are What You Eat"

Thanksgiving Meal

For Veterans, Seniors, and their Families

9/29/2024 Earthen Vessels

10/6/2024 Communicating with God in Times of Trouble.

One-Night Special Service

Special Service with Dr. Johan Bruwer!

Guest Speaker This Sunday

Trunk-Or-Treat 2024

You are invited to Trunk-or-Treat--Friday, October 25th, at 6PM

We Build People, Part 1--Foundations

Sermon from September 15, 2024

Bethel Life Event List--March, 2024

Please Join Us For These Exciting Events In March

You Can Do More Than You Think You Can

John 6:1-14

Desperation Can Lead To Innovation

Thoughts on Sunday, May 14th Sermon

Why Relaunch?

The Kindness of God to Broken People

2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 9

End-Of-Year Update

One Touch Women's Ministry Meeting Overview

November 16, 2022 Meeting Overview

One Touch Women's Ministry

An Introduction

Serious Times

Reflections on "Living in Serious Times," by James Emery White

Meeting Needs

Funding Raised to Repair Church/Community Center Facility at ELIM Full Gospel Church in South Africa

Breakfast, Book, and Bible Club --Wednesday, October 27 Follow-Up

Is Jesus More Like Mother Teresa Or William Wallace?

A Religion With Power

Release Your Potential

Message by Dr. Johan Bruwer on October 11, 2022

Called To Serve

Notes from message by Dr. Johan Bruwer on October 12, 2022

A Message To Garcia

Re-post of 1899 article by Elbert Hubbard

Helping Hands-Warren County

From August 31, 2022

Bethel Life Sanctuary Experience

From August 29, 2022

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

What To Do When You Feel Stuck

Flag Presentation Service Featuring Sergeant Major (Ret.) James McGruder

Celebrating Independence Day--July 4, 2022

Thoughts on "Wandering in the Wilderness"

Thoughts from February 27, 2022 Sermon

THANKSGIVING

Bethel Assembly Of God - The School of Christ