THE BETHANY LETTERJune 12, 2007 Volume 2007, Issue No. 22 | ||||||||||||
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"Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Duane Crabbs, of South Street Ministries, asks the question in a challenging and inspiring way in this letter. Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." And Nathaniel said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." John 1:45-46 The Messiah comes from Nazareth, "Galilee of the Gentiles?" It is a Jewish oxymoron. It would be like someone trying to tell us an American revival of righteousness started in Hollywood or Las Vegas. Our doubts would be as real as Nathaniel's, "Yeah, right!" Is the marriage of grace and truth still scandalous today? Do grace and truth ever disturb us by existing in unexpected places? Perhaps, like a diamond set against black velvet, grace and truth are best highlighted in dark places. At South Street Ministries our response is, "Come and see." "Can any good come out of a tattoo parlor?" was not a theoretical question for me. Jody wanted to testify before the church about "God's leading" to start a tattoo business as a ministry. He wanted our prayers. I know that there is a verse in the Levitical Code that could be used against tattooing, but let's be honest, none of us follows the Levitical Code as a rule for life. Like so many issues in life, the Bible doesn't specifically address the morality of this practice. I do know that my perception of a world that historically involves bikers, sexual promiscuity, exhibitionism, drugs and alcohol does not easily yield to a prayer of blessing. It was a risk, but Jody a faithful member of South street and a walking billboard for his business, stood in front of us and shared poignantly about his life; a life of pain and rebellion that led him into the penitentiary at a young age where he got his vocational training. As an artist and at thirty-one years of age, his best legal marketable skill is tattooing. He wants to provide for his family. He wants the dignity of earning his income legally. He wants to bring the light of Christ into a culture that he knows inside and out because it is his culture. He praised God because a church member had helped finance his start-up costs. How could we not come around him and pray prayers of blessing and protection? We did so with real excitement and celebration! Are we co-signing cultural norms that I am uncomfortable with? No doubt. Yet, our youth are flocking to get pierced and tattooed. Wouldn't Christ be present in this subculture and what does that look like? I found out last week. Our young men's accountability group now meets at "Righteous Ink" on Sunday nights. In the midst of some fairly intimate and honest sharing, two guys wandered in off the streets: two guys who had no interest in church and were clearly a part of the tattoo subculture. As a group, we invited them to participate in our sharing. They observed a level of vulnerability and confession that men rarely risk in front of one another. Before it was over, they were joining us in freely confessing sins and offering their struggles to God in prayer. Heaven was rejoicing! Keep Jody in your prayers. He is walking a difficult path and needs to exercise continual discernment as he brings light where darkness traditionally reigns. May God bless us and guide us (even if it means challenging us) as we continue to seek to grow in our understanding of who Jesus is, where Jesus is, and therefore, where we need to be as his disciples, today. ************** Sunday - June 17, 2007 The Rev. Mark Steiner, Guest Preacher Scripture: Psalm 5:1-8 and Luke 7:38-8:3 Sermon: Jesus Eats With Sinners! Father's Day - Summer Schedule Begins Sunday Morning Opportunities 8:30 a.m. Worship in the SOCIAL HALL 9:30 a.m. Worship in the SANCTUARY/ Children's Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Social Hour Host: OPEN
Bethany Kitchen Saturday, June 16th In the Social Hall - All are welcome! Begins Sunday, June 17th 8:30 a.m. A casual informal worship service in the Social Hall. 9:30 a.m. A traditional worship service in the Sanctuary. Nursery is available (9:15 to10:30 a.m.) for children up to four years old during the 9:30 worship service. Kindergarten - 6th grades will attend the worship service at 9:30, stay through the children's message and then leave for Sunday school in the Children's Library. Women's Fellowship Picnic Monday, June 18th at 6:30 p.m., at the home of the Chartons. Bring a covered dish to share! Meat, beverage and table service will be provided.
The Bethany Letter To save on cost associated with the preparation and distribution of our weekly newsletter, it will be mailed on the following Tuesdays during the summer:
Send in your news articles as ASAP during the summer months. YOU MUST PLAN AHEAD! Any July activities or information for July must be into the office by June 15th.
In Concert From Belgium: An Evening of Culture and Inspiration To tell the story of the Jan-Willem House, Santa Clara, CA The Trinid Singers & The Girls Choir of Leuven Wednesday, July 11th at 7:00 p.m. Church in the Falls, 837 Chestnut Blvd., Cuy. Falls
How We're Doing. . .
Ponca Creek Prayers The Youth Mission Trippers left Saturday for Ponca Creek. Your support of their fund-raisers all through the year and your welcoming their sharing when they return, let them know that their trip matters to you, too. We do, though, ask for one more form of support - your prayers. Please pray for a safe journey, for hearts to open to God and one another, for patience, energy, love, joy, for our Mission Trippers and for those whom we know as our Ponca Creek family. YOUTH MISSION TRIP VOLUNTEERS Ali Briggs, Keith McDevitt, Tracie Stadelman, Rylee Distel , Ethan Millsaps, Jessica Tasker, Tom Gemmell, Ariel Myers, Matthew Tasker, Taylor Giffen , Tom O'Malley, Alex Wachovec, Emma Jensen, Andrew Spencer,Anna Zeller, Cody Lees, Eric Spencer, Caitlin Zeller Advisors: John Dix, Linda Goodwin, Steve Gehlert, Bill Leas, Beth McDevitt Mission Trip Information Here are the important dates for the future:
Camp Bethany Dates Our Camp staff has covenanted to uphold the attitudes, behaviors, and responsibilities needed to faithfully serve our campers, and have begun the planning process. Here's a reminder of important dates and deadlines.
SUNDAY MUSIC THIS SUMMER!! I know that we're all busy with our summer activities, but I'd like to strongly encourage anyone who wants to share their gift of music with the Bethany congregation to do so this summer, for one or even two services - a solo, a duet, a quartet, an instrumental piece, whatever you might come up with. Any and all musical gifts are strongly encouraged and appreciated! If you or someone you know would like to provide music for a summer service (8:30 and/or 9:30) please contact Judith Overcash or Beth McDevitt and we'll put you on the calendar. Please consider helping us out - we'd love to hear what you have to offer! And have a great summer!
VBS For a successful Vacation Bible School we could use your help. Needed: Beach towels (any size, shape, color) Beach items (balls, hats, goggles etc. to decorate!)
Fair Trade Coffee This is an awareness mission. Please consider switching to Fair Trade Coffee to make a difference in the coffee farmers' lives. For more information or to volunteer in Bethany's mission projects, please contact Carolyn B. Hofmann. Esperanza We have even more young people who hope to go on the Esperanza Mission Trip next year. They are looking for work to help reduce the cost of the trip. If you have a job that you need help with, just give one of them a call, then, instead of paying her or him directly, make out a check to Bethany, to their Esperanza account. The hopeful Esperanza Mission Trippers are: Taylor Giffin, Emma Jensen, Keith McDevitt, Ariel Myers, Alex Wachovec, Anna & Caitlin Zeller. LOST & FOUND There are LOST & FOUND baskets located under the stairwell in the Sunday school wing. If you lost something please check at church. We will be emptying these boxes at the end of June and giving to Good Neighbors. There are a few coats left and they can be found in the hall outside the Social Hall. (e.g. a man's large red coat, and a woman's black blazer-Talbot size 10-with GM car keys still in the pocket!)
ARE YOU A COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON? Church Committees must have their 2007 / 2008 calendar information into the office by June 30th. Please!
Vacation Bible School July 9th to July 13th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Take the Plunge! Make a Splash with Jesus! Start thinking water, beach, fun! VBS is for Four-year-olds through completed 5th grade! ALL 4 & 5 year-olds MUST PRE-REGISTER - Space is limited! Pre-registration for everyone is the way to go! Call church office.
Graduation Accolades I hope it's not to late to list Corey's graduation! They graduate late here in Canada. He graduated from Holy Trinity School in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Regards, Diane Nielsen Please remember in your prayers
In Sympathy We express our Christian sympathy and extend our prayers to the family of Marilyn Rowe on the death of her husband, Bob, June 6th.
THANK YOU Dear Friends at Bethany, "I was a stranger in a strange land and you made me welcome." - Matthew 25:35 What more could anyone want when they step into a church for the first time? Your hospitality and willingness to allow me to participate so fully in the life of Bethany was indeed an act of living your faith in Christ. You have blessed me in more ways than I can ever express in words. Not only did you take me in, you also welcomed Marie. Although I am anxious to return to Edinburg, I will miss our times together. I will also be eagerly awaiting the opportunity to be with you in July. I want to especially thank Pastor Steve for his gracious support in allowing me to share in visitation and in worship times. His willingness to share the people of Bethany with me was most appreciated. I want to thank those people who allowed me into their homes and hospital rooms. I have been enriched by your life and faith stories. Thank you also goes to all the Sunday school classes who welcomed my intrusion into their routines. Most importantly, thank you all for the parting gifts of Bible Commentary and the Communion Set. Thank you and God bless you all. - Don Evans
Congratulations On the birth of Wade Matthew Carey, born May 19th to Theresa and Mike Carey of Delaware, OH. Proud grandparents are Gary and Carol Eiber.
Calendar for June 13th to June 17th 6/13 10:00a Bible Study (CE, last one until Fall) 7:30p Consistory 6/14 6/15 6/16 11:30a Bethany Kitchen (SH) Summer Schedule Begins Father's Day Sunday ~ June 17, 2007 Nursery Available ~ 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Mark Steiner, guest preacher 8:30a Worship IN THE SOCIAL HALL (Healing and Reconciliation) 9:30a Worship IN THE SANCTUARY, Children's Sunday School 10:30a Social Hour 6/18 9:00a Quilters 10:00p Newsletter Deadline 6:30p Women's Fellowship Picnic 6/19 NO Staff Meeting 6/23 Youth Group Overnight Family Sunday, June 24th Nursery Available ~ 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. Youth Mission Trip Sharing, both services 8:30a Worship IN THE SOCIAL HALL 9:30a Worship IN THE SANCTUARY, Children's Sunday School 10:30a Social Hour 10:30a YF Senior Recognition & Brunch
Volunteers ~ Names of Sunday Volunteers are 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. Volunteers for June 17th Esperanza Cup Washing: Greeters: Jeannette Allen/ Roberta and Robin Berie Lay Reader: Kim Fratz Nursery: Beth Lees, Jessica Shroyer Social Hour: OPEN Ushers: John Mancinelli, Mark Jensen, Sue Truby, Sharon Ward, Janice Williams, Lindsay Short, Evan Cool, Robin Berie Van Driver: Carol Frederick Visitor Outlook: Nancy Buck Volunteers for June 24th Greeters: Gerry Czetli and Doris Brubaker, Roland Seguin Music: Mission Trippers at both services Nursery: Amanda Lorentz, Eddie Frederick Social Hour Host: OPEN Ushers: Richard Holle, Frank Read, John Grazulis, John Seymour, Hilda Bowman, Mark Jensen, Eddie Frederick, Karen Fratz Van Driver: Ed Frederick Visitor Outlook: Olive Devine
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