Pony RidesOK, now that I have your attention, I want to share something very important with you. The title isn’t just a trick, because I am going to announce all kinds of things that you can get for FREE. Before I do, though, I want to share something that is worth much more than the free stuff I’ll talk about in a minute.

I’m going to share two very important things about God: God is full of surprises, and yet in some ways, He is also very predictable. Let me explain.

The way that God works in a person’s life is often very surprising. No two of His miracles are ever the same. When God intervenes in our lives, He does it in a personal, and often unpredictable, way. That’s why, for example, I am often slow to realize that God has answered a prayer of mine. When I ask God to do something that I cannot do, I can’t help but imagine two or three things God might do to answer my request. God is so great, though, that He often answers my prayers in ways that I have never even dreamed of. I always need to remind myself that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” (Ephesians 3:20). I also need to remember that God is not confined to my imagination because, “‘ My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts’ ” (Isaiah 55:8–9).

On the other hand, God’s nature (what He is like) should never be a surprise to us. God has told us exactly who He is in His Holy Word, the Bible. You never have to worry about God forgetting something or changing His mind about anything. That is true because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). That’s why a Christian gets such wonderful comfort when God says, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

We at Bethel Chapel Church really want our entire community to know about this wonderful God. He often does surprising things, and at the same time we can know what He is like. A lot of people in our community are struggling, but we want to share this amazing good news that can help them.

This brings me to the “free” part I referred to in the title. It’s time again for our annual Bethel Chapel Community Friends and Family Days on June 28 -29. There is a free Juniata Block Party on Saturday the 28th from 3 to 6 pm. We’ll have hamburgers, popcorn, snow cones, and Pina Colada’s (alcohol free) for everyone. There will also be face painting, and pony rides for the children. All these things are free to you. Our church is paying for all of it so we can meet get acquainted with you.

But, that’s not all. On Sunday the 29th we will be hearing from Evangelist Jim Van Gelderen. (You will meet him at the Block Party on Saturday.) He has been with us several times before and is back by popular demand. He will be explaining how God’s Word can solve the problems we face in our everyday lives. You can hear him on Sunday at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, and 6:00 pm. You won’t want to miss any of the messages from this gifted speaker. He has a heart that wants to encourage you with God’s amazing wisdom.

Sunday night, the 29th, at 6:00 pm will be especially interesting. Anyone who wants to learn more about Jesus is welcome to join us for an informal time of dinner and discussion in the basement of Bethel Chapel Church. The whole evening is designed for people who want to learn more about God or who have questions about religion. Rev. Van Gelderen will explain from the Bible who Jesus really is, and how you can know for sure that you belong to Him. The meal is free for anyone who is interested in hearing about what it means to follow Jesus Christ.

Perhaps you have always thought that churches are all about asking for money. We want to surprise you with these free events to point you to a God who is full of surprises. The best surprise of all is His free gift of salvation and His free grace for every day living. I hope these free events will help you find out more about Him. There is no telling exactly how He will change your life when you get to know Him. One thing is certain, though: He will change you. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

These meetings are free, but the messages about Christ are priceless.