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Hello Bethlehem,

The month of September has been designated, “Goodness Month.” An article by Wayne Jackson entitled, “Reflections on the Goodness of God” will help us to understand biblical goodness.

Reflections on the Goodness of God The incident is found in all of the synoptic accounts (Mt. 19:16-22; Mk. 10:17-22; Lk. 18:18-23). A young, wealthy ruler was acquainted with the ministry of Christ. On a certain occasion, therefore, this official ran to Jesus, kneeled before him, and asked: “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” In his re-sponse, the Lord asked: “Why do you call me good? None is good except one, even God.” Christ did not deny that he was “good.” He merely asked a question. He sought to probe the soul of the young ruler, awakening him to the nature of his vocabulary. In effect Jesus asked: “Since only God is good and as you similarly designate me, are you willing to concede that I am divine?” In other words, if you inquire of me as to the acquisition of eternal life, are you willing to concede that I am qualified to answer your question? The Lord was not denying his divine na-ture; he was affirming it! Let us explore the relevance of the affirmation that God is a good Being.

The Significance of “Good” The term “good” is employed in a couple of important ways in the Scriptures. It may be used in a utilitarian sense (i.e., a thing is “good” because it is useful — it fulfills the purpose for which it was designed). On the first day of the creation week, God said: “Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good . . .” (Gen. 1:4). Light is “good” in a practical way. James refers to the “good” gifts that come from the Creator (Jas. 1:17).

Dates to Remember September 2009 5th Bethlehem Men’s Break-fast

6th-11th National Baptist USA

Convention-Memphis

Tennessee 7th Labor Day

20th-Gilfield B.C.-3pm

Homecoming

Davis Oklahoma

Pre-Homecoming Service Bethlehem-6 pm 26th-Bethlehem Picnic & Con-cert

Wacker Park

27th Homecoming Service Bethlehem 11:00am & 4:00 pm

Inside this issue:

Word of the Month 2

Convention Highlights 3

First Lady 4

Homecoming 5

Vision to Victory 6

Announcements 7

Leaders 8

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

Hear God’s Word

September 2009

Volume 27, Issue 1

Pastor Michael & Kimberly Eaton

On the other hand, the word “good” is frequently used to signify character (i.e., moral goodness). It is in this sense that God is “good.” The Psalmist proclaimed: “Good and upright is Jehovah: Therefore he will instruct sinners in the way” (Psa. 25:8). Though Joseph had endured many hardships in Egypt, when he reflected upon these events near the end of his life, he acknowledged that, in the providential scheme of things, God was working that which was “good” (Gen. 50:20). There is another matter that must be emphasized with reference to goodness. The term “good” may be em-ployed in either an absolute, or in a relative way. Absolutely speaking, only God is “good.” He alone pos-sesses goodness in infinitude. This is what Jesus had in mind when, to the young ruler, he said: “No one is good except God.” While it is a fact that only deity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) possesses goodness absolutely, it is none-theless true that human beings can be “good” relatively. An inspired writer affirmed that: “A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah; But a man of wicked devices will he condemn” (Prov. 12:2). In the New Testament, Luke, the historian who authored the book of Acts, described the generous and dedicated Barnabas as “a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and faith” (Acts 11:24). It is our goal and hope in the “Year of God” that we can be like Barnabas. Good men and women full of the Holy Spirit. As a matter of fact goodness is apart of the fruit of the Spirit. This month is “Goodness” month. We will study the following topics and passage.

Sermon Series: The Divine Power of Goodness

Seeing The Goodness of God Psalm 27:12-14 September 2, 2009

The Divine Power of Goodness 2 Peter 1:2-4 September 13, 2009

Goodness Following Psalm 23:5-6 September 16, 2009

The Light of Goodness Ephesians 5:8-10 September 23, 2009

God Is Good 2 Chronicles 6:40-42 September 30, 2009

We will also see the goodness of God as we celebrate our 107thAnniversary

and Homecoming on September 20, 26-27, 2009. Happy Birthday Bethlehem!!!

The Word of the Month By Pastor Michael Eaton

Page 2 Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church

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Pastor, First Missionary Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL (1977-present) Let us Keep Dr. Scruggs in our daily prayers as he leads the Convention for the next four years. For More Information on Dr. Scruggs, go to his website t:http://scruggsyoungfornbc.com/

Dr. Julius R. Scruggs-Elected President of National Baptist Convention USA

Oklahoma Baptist State President Dr. John A. Reed has been appointed over the Western Region of National Baptist Convention the United States by Dr. Julius R. Scruggs. He will serve in the Executive Cabinet as one of the Vice Presidents of the NBC, USA, Inc Dr. Reed is the Senior Pastor at Fairview Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He is a friend of Bethlehem and we wish him well! Let us keep Dr. Reed in our daily prayers.

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“The Fruit of the Spirit: “Goodness” By First Lady Kimberly Eaton

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

The Bible says that it is the goodness of God that will lead sinners to repentance and salvation. The qual-ity of goodness is another real powerful quality to have operating through you.

This particular quality has a real drawing power to it. Not only does the goodness of God draw peo-ple direct to Him, but this fruit of goodness operating in a believer can draw people direct to God through the actual believer. Spirit-filled saints who are walking with many of these fruits operating through them are like a magnet. Many people who have been saved through an individual believer say that what drew them in was the love and goodness they saw shining through that believer.

Jesus says that we are to carry His light and we are to let that light shine before men and not attempt to hide it. Part of His light are these nine fruits of the Holy Spirit shining through an anointed believer. Nonbelievers are really drawn to someone who has some degree of these nine fruits manifesting through them.

However, there is something extra special about the quality of goodness. Many Christians can effectively witness to others by just living right and being a good example and role model for others to follow. Many nonbelievers carefully watch and study some Christians, because they know there is something different about them.

One of the key qualities a nonbeliever will pick up on in a solid Christian is this quality of goodness. This quality has an ability to really get down deep into the core of a believer's personality. To those who really have this quality, you can tell that it is something operating deep down inside of them. This quality is not something that waivers like some of the other qualities can. These people are good down to their very cores of their personalities. You can see it and feel it when you get around these types of people.

As a result of seeing this God-like goodness deeply ingrained into their personalities, there is an immedi-ate drawing towards them. You feel safe around them because you know you can totally trust them and you know they would never deliberately hurt you.

Children are quick to sense and pick up on this quality in people who really have it. These types of Christians draw children and adults to them like magnets. This is why this particular fruit is so important for each Christian to have. If you have goodness in you, you can easily draw more people to the Lord.

As we meditate on this word “GOODNESS”, as yourself these questions, Is there any Good in me?

Is there any GOD in me? ……………………….What do people (NON-BELIEVERS) see?

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,..

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Invite your Family and Friends and we will see you in the Park.

All Past and Present Members are Ask to Give $107.00 for each year that Bethlehem has been in existence. All monies will go toward the building of our new church.

Let’s Celebrate Bethlehem’s Homecoming 2009 This Month in September!

Calendar of Events

Pre-Homecoming Services Sunday September 20, 2009 11:00 AM-Rev Michael Ford-Community Missionary Baptist Church, Norman, Oklahoma 6:00 PM-Rev. Richard Gaines-Community Missionary Baptist Church, Norman, Oklahoma

Picnic & Concert in the Park Saturday-September 26, 2009 11:00 AM-Picnic at Wacker Park 1:00 PM-Concert-Bossman & The Sunsets

Homecoming Services Sunday– September 27, 2009 11:00 AM– Rev. Dr. Gregory Jones-Ebenezer Baptist Church-Starkville, Mississippi 4:00 PM-Rev. Dr. Charles Martin-Union Missionary Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

Join us as we are praying for God to reveal His Ram in the Bush for a Worship Leader.

“V i s i o n t o R e a l i t y ” B ui l d i ng a C hur c h t o B ui l d a C o ng r eg a t i on

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Announcements

September 2009

Nurse’s Meeting

September 20th

Immediately after service

Brotherhood

1st & 3rd Monday

6:00 pm

September 7th

September 21st

Women’s Mission

1st & 3rd Monday

6:00 pm

September 7th

September 21st

Usher Meeting

2nd & 4th Tuesday

September 8th

September 22nd

Choir Rehearsal

6:00 pm

September 1st

September 8th

September 15th

September 22nd

September 29th

Bible Study

6:00 pm

September 2nd

September 9th

September 16th

September 23rd

September 30th

Thursday

Christianity 101

Light House Ministry

6:00 PM

September 3rd

September 10th

September 17th

September 24th

Friday

Saturday

Ministers Meeting

6:00 pm

September 4th

September 11th

September 18th

September 25th

Brotherhood

My Brother’s Keepers

Men’s Breakfast

September 5th

October 3rd

8:00 am

Share the Love!

Sunday School

Superintendent

Sis. Audrey Jones

New Member Ministry

Brian & Ellen Frizell

Brotherhood

Bro Morrie Baltzell

Usher Ministry

Sis. Claudia Newton

Nurse Ministry

Sis. Kim Jackson

Culinary

Ministry

Sis. Denise

Stafford

Trustees

Bro. Herman Jackson

Sis. Theola Jackson

Sis. Isom Davis

Treasurer:

Bro Al Jackson

Bro. Herman Jackson

Sis. Audrey Jones

Bro Quinen Ross

Benevolence

Committee

Bro. Al Jackson

Sis. Isom Davis

Bro. Victor Jackson

The Lighthouse

Ministry

Rev. Bruce Ford

Director of

Women’s Ministry/Women’s Mission

Sis. Kimberly Eaton

Youth Director

Youth Pastor

Rev. T. D. Rushing

Mimes

Sis. Theola Jackson

Sis. Audrey Jones

Youngest Member

Ministry

Sis. Isom Davis

Mother's of the Church

Sis. Gladys Mc Cowen

Sis. Ella Watkins

311 North Dunbar Pauls Valley, Oklahoma 73075 Phone: 405-238-5818 Email: heargodsword@bethlehem.com

W E AR E O N T HE W EB W W W . HEA R GO D SW OR D@BE TH LE HEM . C OM

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church

Pastor

Rev. Michael Eaton

Associate

Pastors

Rev. Bruce Ford

Rev. T. D. Rushing

Minister

Brian Frizell

Chairman

of Deacons

Deacon Melvin Watts

Deacons

Al Jackson

Bill Jones

Park Prince

Quinen Ross

Church

Secretary

Sis. Jocelyn Rushing

Deaconess

Sis. Kim Jackson

Sis. Audrey Jones

Sis. Margie Prince

Sis. Jocelyn Rushing

Sis. Nell Watts

Minister

of Music/Choir

Vacant

Choir

Pam Sanders

Leaders and Ministries

Calendar Of Events for May 2009 Sunday: School: 9:30 AM-10:30 AM Sunday: Worship Service: 11:00 AM Monday: Women’s Mission 1st and 3rd Week: 6:00 PM-7:15 PM Monday: Brotherhood 1st & 3rd Week-6:00 PM-7:00 PM Tuesday Usher Meeting: 2nd and 4th Week 5:30 PM Tuesday Adult Choir Practice: 6:00PM– 7:00 PM Wednesday: Bible Study & Prayer: 6:00 PM Thursday: Christianity 101 6:00 PM At the home of Minister Brian & Ellen Frizell Lighthouse Ministry Every Thursday 6:00 PM Saturday: Men’s Prayer Breakfast 1st Saturday of each month: 8:00 AM

Be t h l e he m i s f o r Pe o p l e L i k e Yo u !