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Bethany Christian Church  Odessa, TX
4522 N. Everglade Ave.
432-366-5971

 

 

 

 Interim/Transitional Minister, Rev. Clark Ford &his wife Mattie

 

 

 

 

Clark's Comments...

      

   Some of us who are a bit older than others can remember when Sunday was a day of rest and worship. Stores closed, and all but the very necessary work stopped so people could attend church. No event involving children was planned. I suppose some people went to church because there was no other place to go, but most people who attended did so because they wanted to be with their family of faith. Those days are long gone. On a recent Sunday Mattie Belle and I were driving into the parking lot of the church and across the street were lots and lots of people. A baseball tournament was going on--but not just at Sherwood Park. The ball complex at 42nd and Loop 338 was also full of people. So on that Sunday morning several hundred people, maybe even several thousand, were doing what they wanted to do. 

  

   If you had asked, most of those people would have told you they were Christians who believed in God, but that Church wasn't really that important. This of course means they aren't active and give no support to the Church's ministry or mission. There are still viable congregations and a few growing Churches; but for the most part even the major ones are in decline. This means fewer people and less and less influence on our culture. So those who are faithful and who do believe will need to be more involved in every discipline of the faith to insure the next generation will have the opportunity to know Christ as their Lord and to be a part of Christ's Church. We can do our part by worshipping. 

See you Sunday, Clark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Like most Christians, Disciples affirm: Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God and offers saving grace to all.
  Beliefs and practices usually associated with Disciples include:
  Open Communion - The Lord's Supper, or Communion, is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Freedom of belief - Disciples are called together around one essential of faith: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are free to follow their consciences guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit, study and prayer, and are expected to extend that freedom to others.
Baptism by immersion - In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored.
Belief in the oneness of the church - All Christians are called to be one in Christ  and to seek opportunities for common witness and service.
The ministry of believers - Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service and spiritual growth.

The mission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is to be
and share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing,
living and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



September 2North Texas: 214.826.4361     .     Heart of Texas: 254.772.9303     .     South Texas: 713.942.9063     .     San Antonio: 210.824.5507
Fort Worth: 817.944.5673     .     Toll Free: 1.800.442.6653
Former Bethany

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September 24, 20084, 2008

North Texas: 214.826.4361     .     Heart of Texas: 254.772.9303     .     South Texas: 713.942.9063     .     San Antonio: 210.824.5507
Fort Worth: 817.944.5673     .     Toll Free: 1.800.442.6653

September 24, 200