The Bethany Letter

FEBRUARY 13, 2007 VOLUME 2007 ISSUE NO. 6

BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST The Rev. Stephen Gehlert, Senior Minister

1235 Broad Blvd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223 The Rev. Mark Steiner, Visitation Minister

Phone: 330-923-5277 Fax: 330-923-321 Mr. Don Evans, Partner-in-Ministry Intern

E-mail: Bethany@Bethany.ald.net (Church Office) Web Site: www.bethany.ald.net

 

The Lord Is My Shepherd

As has been our custom in recent years, we’ll again be offering Lenten worship in a comfortable, reflective setting. This year our theme will be the 23rd Psalm, which proclaims, The Lord Is My Shepherd. Using a devotional book by Rabbi Harold Kushner, we’ll reflect on what it means to say that:

* the Lord is our Shepherd

* we are the sheep of his pasture

* the people of his hand

Lenten worship will begin on Ash Wednesday and end on Maundy Thursday with worship in the Sanctuary at 7:30 p.m. In between we’ll have five weeks of simple meals and worship (with each of our choirs sharing a different week) in the social hall from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Childcare will be offered. Here is the schedule:

February 21 Ash Wednesday

7:30 p.m. - Sanctuary, Anthem by Chancel Choir, Communion

February 28 The Lord Is My Shepherd,

I Shall Not Want

6:30-7:30 p.m. - Social hall, simple meal, Anthem by Young Shepherds Choir, reflection

March 7 He Makes Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures,

He Leads Me Beside the Still Waters,

He Restores My Soul

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Social hall, simple meal, Anthem by Chancel Choir, reflection

March 14 He Guides Me in Straight Paths for His Name’s Sake,

Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death,

I Will Fear No Evil,

Thy Rod and Thy Staff, They Comfort Me

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Social hall, simple meal, Anthem by Son Singers, reflection

March 21 Thou Preparest a Table for Me in the Presence of My Enemies,

Thou Anointest My Head with Oil,

My Cup Runneth Over

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Social hall, simple meal, Anthem by 7th Day, reflection

March 28 Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me All the Days of My Life,

And I Shall Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Social hall, simple meal, Anthem by Memory Bell Choir, reflection

April 5 Maundy Thursday Worship

7:30 p.m., Sanctuary, Anthem by Chancel Choir, Communion

Lent is a time when we are called to examine our lives and see how we have wandered from God’s way and need to come home. What better time could there be for each of us to consider what it means that "the Lord Is My Shepherd." I hope you’ll join me in prayerfully considering the challenging good news of this Psalm.

With Lenten Hope,

Next Sunday ~ February 18, 2007

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

 

Sunday Morning Opportunities

8:30 a.m. Worship (Healing & Reconciliation)/ Motet Choir

9:15 a.m. Church School for Children and Adults

10:30 a.m. Worship/ Chancel Choir/ Children’s Sunday School/ Baptism

11:30 a.m. Chili Cook-Off

Adult Classes at 9:15 ~ Bible Discoveries; Lounge Class ~ Video, Carpe Diem; Seasons of the Spirit;

(Please arrive on time) Seekers ~ Relationships; Senior High; Upper Room; Perspectives

 

Esperanza Mission Trip

Please Keep Them in Your Prayers

On February 4th, we commissioned those going on the mission trip to serve on behalf of God and Bethany. They departed Saturday, the 10th, for Mexico. All this week they will be working with a Mexican family to build a simple concrete block home. They will work hard and get very tired and dirty, but they will know great joy – the joy of giving and receiving God’s love. Please keep them in your prayers. We will welcome them back on the 18th and be eager for their sharing in worship and the church school hour on March 4th.

 

 

 

 

 

Bethany’s Chili Cook-Off is THIS Sunday, February 18th, following the 10:30 service. Everyone is invited to come buy beans – just 50¢ a bean – which can be exchanged for a bowl (or bowls) of the chili of your choice as well as an assortment of beverages, desserts, etc. This will be our 4th Chili Cook-Off in which entrants compete for top prize – well … just being known as the "Chili Winner" is prize enough!

For those who do not like Chili, you can still attend and enjoy the fun and fellowship as chicken noodle soup will also be served!

Join the fun and vote

for your favorite chili! Proceeds from this meal will go toward the Esperanza Mission Trip.

 

 

 

Women’s

Fellowship

Monday, February 19th

7:00 p.m.

Program: The Lost Mansion

by Jan Charton

 

 

Walk a Mile in My Shoes will be held on Sunday, February 18th. The focus of this event is to bring together the families from our twenty-eight congregations to celebrate the success of our IHN mission. This is also a fundraiser for IHN and we are encouraging all Bethany members to ask for the support of their family, friends, neighbors and collect pledges for the walk. There is no registration fee for the walk. If you are not able to collect pledges, you are still welcome to participate and join in the fun. Registration forms are available in the church office. Having the event at Akron Children’s Hospital allows us to be outside in a safe environment with free parking and also allows us inside facilities for activities before and after the walk.

OUR BETHANY YOUTH WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT AND WOULD APPRECIATE SPONSORSHIP OF OUR MEMBERS! The Mission Committee

 

 

Men’s Volunteer Breakfast

It is a great time for men of the church to get together to share faith, food, and fellowship together; as well as a few chores with which the custodians could use some help. The men gather the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 8:00 a.m. (Next breakfast February 21st.) You can help make this time possible by providing breakfast for 8-10 men once during the year. If you’d like to help in this way call Nancy Read.

 

IHN Host Week

Our next IHN Host week is February 25-March 3. There will be a brief meeting this Sunday after the 10:30 service for all of the team leaders in the social hall. If anyone is interested in volunteering during the week by driving the van, preparing a meal or staying overnight, please call Carolyn B. Hofmann.

 

Once again our mid-week Lenten services will begin with a simple meal of soup and bread. We’re looking for people who would be willing to help provide soup or bread on one the following five evenings: February 28, March 7, March 14, March, 21, or March 28. If you’d be willing to help please contact Mary Seymour.

 

We received the following bit of good news from the Esperanza group last Sunday afternoon:

I took my laptop to Mexico hoping my Aircard would let me get on the Internet, and it does! I thought I would just send a quick note to let you know we all did just fine getting out here. The flight from Chicago to San Diego was packed making it a long four hours. John Mansfield’s bag did not show on his flight so it gave us some time to go eat lunch at a very cool McDonald’s down by the harbor. We are making friends with the other group; went to dinner with them in a little town on the coast called Puerto Neuvo last night…we ended up with 41 people at one table as we had our own dining room!

Say "Hi" to all! Buenos Dias!

The Esperanza Group (George)

 

 

 

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- 1 Tim. 2:1 (NIV)

 

Please remember in your prayers…

 

Thank you,

Your contribution to Good Neighbors is greatly appreciated. Our all-volunteer efforts to assist the needy families of this community are dependent on gifts such as yours. Thank you very much for your support during our annual Christmas drive. We sincerely thank you and wish to remind you that all donations to our organization are tax deductible.

Family Night Thank You…

The Bethany families, young and old, made our family night a great success. The attendance of New Trinity and the Y-day care made it a special time of sharing. Lots of people helped make everything run smoothly. The CE Committee: Pat Cochran, Betty Caiola, Harry Cool, Karen Fratz, Kim Fratz, Sue Jensen, Tammy Jensen, Suzanne Roach, Carolyn Shroyer – really out-did themselves from: pre-setup, craft preparation, munchies, meal food, cleanup, and movie projection. Hope everyone had a good time.

 

 

Congratulations…

… to Chris and Michelle Davis on the birth of their daughter, Madison Mae, February 5th.

 

 

 

Calendar for additions to ~ or ~ changes to the 2007 monthly calendar mailed to you.

February 15th to February 25th

2/14 7:30p Consistory

2/15 6:15p Confirmation Meal, Music, Class

7:30p Choir Practice

2/17 11:30a Bethany Kitchen (SH)

Esperanza Trip Ends

 

 

Sunday ~ February 18, 2007

8:30a Worship (Healing & Reconciliation)

9:15a Church School for All Ages

10:30a Worship/ Children’s S.S./ Baptism

11:30a CHILI COOK-OFF

11:30a 7th Day Rehearsal

11:30a Conf. Join 7th Day rehrsl., eat at Chili

Cook-Off, play practice

2:00p IHN Walk a Mile in My Shoes, YF Event

 

2/19 Office Closed

7:00p Women’s Fellowship

2/20 No Staff Meeting

2/21 8:00a Men’s Breakfast

7:30p Ash Wednesday Communion Service/

Chancel Choir

2/22 7:30p Chancel Choir

2/24 10:00a Miller Ave. Lunch on Us (Confirmands)

Family Sunday

February 25, 2007

8:30a Worship (Story & Song)

9:15a Church School for All Ages

10:30a Worship

11:30a Social Hour: Church Growth

11:30a 7th Day Practice

6:00p IHN Meal (SH)

6:00p YF-movie night

Volunteers

Names of Sunday Volunteers

will be published AHEAD of the scheduled Sunday; as a kindly reminder

& an early thank you!

 

 

 

 

Volunteers for February 18th

Greeters: Janice Williams, Lindsay Short

Gary and Nancy Jenson

Lay Reader: Judy Welfley

Music: Motet Choir/ Chancel Choir

Nursery: Amanda Keenan, Stephen Ferda,

Jennifer France, Eddie Frederick

Ushers: Tim Hermann, Frank Read, Mary and Ralph

Bowmaster, Karen Mellott, Sally Mellott,

Henry Nagel, Austin Renner

Van Driver: Ed Frederick

Visitor Outlook:

 

 

 

 

you are unable to volunteer the day you are scheduled, please remember to 1) find someone to take your place and then 2) call the church office so we may make necessary revisions. Thank you!

 

 

 

Volunteers for February 25th

Greeters: John Lees Family/ Richard & Phyllis Haft

Music: Bell Choir/ Bell Choir, Young Shepherds

Nursery: Beth Lees, Amanda Lorentz, Andrew

McVan, Taylor Giffen

Ushers: Lenora Luginbill, Bob, Charton, Sue Truby, Sharon Ward, Judy Ingram, Marcia Spring, Andrew Slota

Van Driver:

Visitor Outlook: Ruth Schreiber