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

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

February is certainly a month of diversity and contradictions. It starts with hope in the form of a little furry creature called "Puxatawney Phil". People make quite a deal out of hoping that our cold winter will soon come to an end. But to be sure, as we have recently seen, February is a true winter month. Then smack dab in the middle of this cold month we find Valentine’s Day. With Valentine’s Day comes the inner warm that love brings. It is gratifying to see all red hearts everywhere in the stores. It reminds me that people everywhere, regardless of race or creed, really do care about one another. February is different from all the other months, because it is the shortest even when we get to add that strange extra day every four years. Maybe that too is a sign for the coldness to soon come to an end.

But what really makes February special? Of course you all know that! It has the beginnings of Lent. Lent, the special season of the Christian year. It is that time when we all get to prepare our hearts in love for the Easter Celebration of Christ’s triumph over death and the promise of salvation for each and everyone of us. It is the promise of salvation for all who believe. I’ll take that over a valentine any day! Like February itself, Lent is not just all about good times. Lent calls us to examine the hardships that Christ, the Apostles and disciples faced as the events leading up to Easter unfolded. While we revel in the expectancy of hope, we are also called to a serious evaluation of self and what we are willing to do to serve our Lord.

As I thought about February and how to describe it, two words kept circulating - "all" and "love". All people can hope for a shorter winter, unless of course you happen to be young, energetic and a snowboarder. All people can enjoy Valentine’s Day for whatever reason they choose. All people can prepare their hearts and focus their minds on what the Lenten Season means. All people can share love whether that is in the silliness of Groundhog’s Day, the special relationships with family & loved ones or in the seriousness of Lent.

February is also a little bit like the United Church of Christ, full of diversity and love. I have been associated with United Church of Christ most of my life starting with my Sunday school years. A number of years ago I was privileged to be a General Synod delegate when it was held in Columbus. Even though I had had many meaningful experiences and opportunities in the church, it was here that I fell in love with the United Church of Christ and even more specifically the U.C.C. motto "That they may all be one". Ours is a denomination of diversity. Its worldwide churches represent a huge variety of people and corresponding ideals. During the synod discernment sessions we had many discussions both heated and passionate. While we all certainly did not come to agreement on a lot of things, what was particularly evident came in the form of the love of Christ at our discussions. We loved one another enough to allow for differences. It was truly amazing to watch so many people working to make the United Church of Christ a denomination bringing the love of God to the issues at hand for the good of all.

Many people throughout the world suffer in the winters of discontent, oppression and hatred. I love the hope for an end to those winters, a hope that comes in the motto "That they may all be one". I think St. Valentine would be proud of us.

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

Bible Discoveries Class … be ready to discuss pages 64-66, the end of Chapter 3. Also, please read pages 67-73.

The New Horizons Band would like to invite all to their band concert on Monday, February 26^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. The concert will also feature the Hudson High School Jazz Band.

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.

How many times have we gone into the kitchen, stood in front of the refrigerator and said, "There’s nothing to eat." Thankfully, what we really meant was, "There’s nothing that I WANT to eat." But for many of our neighbors, an empty stomach and a bare cupboard is a painful fact of life. During the month of March the Mission Committee will be supporting the Harvest for Hunger Canned Food Drive. Every Sunday morning in March, please bring as many canned and dry goods as you can to donate. This is a great opportunity to support our neighbors and our local community and also a great way for kids to get involved. Drop boxes for the canned goods will be available by each of the nametag boards. Together we can make sure all children go to bed full.

Thank you for my Valentine flower and cards for my birthday and for the home communion.

God Bless Everyone, Margaret Saltsman

"Thank you" to my many Bethany friends for all the wonderful birthday cards and get well cards I received. Thank you to Sally and Karen Mellott for bringing the altar flowers last Sunday and the nice visit. I am so fortunate to be a member of such a caring church. Bless you all, Helen Davis

God bless the Wachovec family, Pastor Steve and Bethany Church. Because of our caring church family, we were able to get out of our house after the big snowstorm. Tony and Jenny Bisesi

I wish to thank the Bethany family for all your cards, thoughts and prayers on my Dad’s passing. Bethany is al will always be my family. My Dad was so touched and thankful for the Bethany family and their prayers, visits, flowers and lap robe during his declining health. Bethany United Church of Christ is the reflection of God’s love and spirit.

May God Bless You All, Carolyn B. Kuhn

How could we have forgotten to thank George Jensen for his help during Family Night? Well, we did… so thank you George for setting up the projector and for the running of it. Your help is always appreciated!

Also, we express our Christian sympathy to the family of Milicent Sweet (past Bethany member) who died February 17^th.

7:30p Ash Wednesday Communion Service/

6:00p YF-movie night

6:00p IHN Meal (SH)

Volunteers

Greeters: John Lees Family/ Richard & Phyllis Haft

Music: Bell Choir/ Bell Choir, Young Shepherds

Nursery: Beth Lees, Amanda Lorentz, Andrew

McVan, Taylor Giffen

Social Hour Host: Church Growth

Van Driver:

Visitor Outlook: Ruth Schreiber

Volunteers for March 4^th

Greeters:

Lay Reader: Scott Myers

Music: Donna and Tim/ Chancel Choir

Nursery: Tracy Ocepek, Kim Miller, Vicki McVan,

Caitlyn Malorni

Social Hour Host:

Ushers: Carolyn Hofmann, Herb Walker, John

Grazulis, John Seymour, Andy McVan, Megan

Ferda, Nancy Buck, Evan

Van Driver: Bob Read

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,

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

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

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

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

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