THE BETHANY LETTER

January 30, 2007 Volume 2007, Issue No. 4

As I prepared for the Annual Meeting I couldn't help thinking, "We are so blessed! I am so grateful!"

I've felt this ever since I came to Bethany years ago for a trial sermon weekend and my reluctant-to-move son said, "Dad, this is a good church." But the awareness of the blessing and the gratitude that comes with it has only heightened over the years, heightened in so many ways.

Because we love one another:

Because we reach out to others:

Because we're growing in gratitude and giving:

Because we nurture faithful disciples:

I could go on and on. But I'm out of room. So, I'll just say once more, "We are so blessed and I am grateful!"

With Gratitude, Steve

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8:30 a.m. Worship (Communion)/ Donna and Tim, special music

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

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

11:30 a.m. Social Hour Host: OPEN

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

Seekers - Relationships; Senior High; Upper Room; Perspectives

will begin their study on the book of Revelation January 31^st, 10:00 a.m. in the C.E. office. Everyone is welcome

to join us for one or more Wednesdays. Information: contact Carolyn Shroyer 330/923-5277.

The next Youth Fellowship Donato's night is Wednesday, January 31^st. Ten percent of the receipts and tips received by the youth are tithed to Bethany, 10% goes to the youth account and 80% goes to support the youth mission trip.

Our next meeting of the Bethany Buckeyes will be on Friday, February 2^nd. For reservations, call the office during the week before or note so on this Sunday's attendance card. The meal is at 6:00 p.m. Fun and games follow the meal.

The first Sunday of each month, Bethany's volunteer nurses, Linda Goodwin and Holly Keenan, offer blood pressure tests during social hour. If you are interested in having your BP checked, look for them in the library

Remember to pick up your sub order this Sunday, February 4^th. If you forgot to place an order, we will have a few extra available for sale. Cost $4.00.

Please join us this Sunday as Bethany Sponsored Troop #160 participates in our worship as greeters and ushers. Also, the women of Bethany Church will share their gifts and lead both worship services.

Bethany's Chili Cook-Off will be Sunday, February 18^th, 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 4^th Chili Cook-Off in which entrants compete for top prize – well … just being known as the "Chili Winner" is prize enough! Join the fun and vote for your favorite chili! Proceeds from this meal will go toward the Esperanza Mission Trip.

. . . will be held on Sunday, February 18^th. 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 will be available next week. This event is being held in February so our participants can think about the homeless families that are on the streets in the winter months enduring the cold weather. Our original plan for this event was to hold it at the Family Center and walk in the Summit Lake Neighborhood. The police department is not issuing any new parade permits to block off streets, so we needed to find a different location. Having the event at Akron Children's Hospital will still allow us to be outside in a safe environment, provides free parking, and will also allow us inside facilities for activities before and after the walk. Please come out and support this important event as a walker, pledger or volunteer. Thank you for the support you have given to this mission. Hope to see you on February 18th. - The Mission Committee

Monday, February 29^th 7:00 p.m.

Program: "The Lost Mansion" by Jan Charton

Bethany's Esperanza Mission Trip begins February 10^th. The following youth are in need of $$ to help defray their cost of the trip. Any work you can offer will be a real gift to them, and through them, to a homeless family in Mexico! Give them a job!!!!!

Amanda Keenan

Emma Jensen

Keith McDevitt

Ariel Myers

Anna Zeller

Caitlin Zeller

Most of you know that Mark Steiner, our Pastor of Visitation, recently had surgery (which went very well) and, though his recovery is going well, will not be able to be with us for some time. That is why we are grateful that Jim Pugh, a Bethany member and a UCC pastor who is not currently serving a church, has offered to do occasional hospital visiting until Mark is able to return to work. So, though we hope none of you will be in the hospital in the near future, we are glad that in addition to Pastor Steve and our Lay Visitors, Jim will be able to visit as well.

Helen Davis, Cuy. Falls General Hospital #228, 1900 23^rd St., Cuy. Falls, OH 44223

Charles Kuhn, Palliative Care, City Hospital, 525 E. Market Street, Akron OH 44304

Wayne Raleigh, home

Nancy Zucco, home

Mary Coffield fell and broke her wrist. HC3 Box 157, Mexico Beach FL 32456

1/07 Jenny Bisesi in loving memory of daughter, Linda Kopina

1/14 Jean Porter in memory of Robert and Barbara Featherstone, & Cliff and Kathleen Featherstone

1/21 Marge Gaskill and family in memory of Richard, husband and father

1/28 Patricia Fennell & Edward Wallace in memory of parents, Rush and Margaret Wallace

Phoebe Gero February 6^th , 38 Normandale Rd., Markham, Ontario L3R 4K2 Canada

Bob and I would like to express our thanks to our new Bethany Church Family for such a warm greeting before and at our joining the church. We are truly delighted to be a part of such a welcoming and friendly congregation. - Bob and Marietta Tromp

Thanks to everyone who made the Annual Meeting and Dinner a wonderful Bethany family celebration. Thanks to Doug Shroyer and all his helpers for planning and preparing a great dinner; to the Consistory members for providing salads and desserts as well as serving and cleaning up; to Bob Charton for chairing the meeting and all the committee chairs and others who shared reports; finally, thanks to all who cared enough to attend, to listen and lend your support. We have much to be thankful for at Bethany and this meeting is just another example.

Thank you to Lenora and Margaret for bringing me a beautiful Christmas plant; to all who sent lovely cards and good wishes; and to the carolers who were in good number and good voice. What a joy! My love to each of you, Caroline Renner

Receipts must have a dated printed on them. The dates are September 17, 2006 to April 7, 2007 ONLY.

Certain brand name items qualify for the program. Please remember to bring in your receipts.

Nursery Available - 9:15 – 11:30 a.m.

Scout Sunday - Women's Sunday

Sub Sale Pick-up

Nursery Available - 9:15 – 11:30 a.m.

9:15a Church School for All Ages

10:30a Worship/ Baptism

11:30a Social Hour: Grade 3 and 4

11:30a Conf./Mentor Meal/Meeting (L)

11:45a MOTET Practice (Choir Rm.)

Names of Sunday Volunteers

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

& an early thank you! If 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!

Greeters: Boy Scouts

Lay Reader: Mary Seymour

Music: Donna and Tim/ Chancel Choir

Nursery: Harry Cool, Pat Cochran, Hilda Bowman, Matthew Tasker

Ushers: John Mancinelli, Herb Walker, John Grazulis, John Seymour, Bob and Carole Pletzer, Sue Mancinelli, Shawn O'Malley

Van Driver: Jennifer France

Visitor Outlook: Amanda Lorentz

Greeters: Wurgler/Tasker Family, Mancinelli Family

Lay Reader: Laura Rorrer

Music: 7^th Day, Chancel Choir

Nursery: Bob Read, Jack Dugan, Kristi Dugan, Jessica Shroyer

Van Driver: Carol Frederick

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