THE BETHANY LETTERMay 29, 2007 Volume 2007, Issue No. 20 |
|
Continuing Our Honor and Our Prayers Memorial Day was originally set in 1868 to commemorate those killed in the Civil War. Its observance was later extended to honor all Americans who have died in war. The desire for the convenience of "three day weekends" led to its observance being set on the last Monday in May. But its original date is May 31 and it was intended to remind us to remember and honor those who have sacrificed for our freedom, not just on that or any other single day, but always. I hope that this prayer will help us do that, in a lasting way that mourns and honors those who have fallen and hopes and works for justice, freedom, and peace. May we never take for granted the precious legacy of those who have died. Gracious God, We remember all those who have sacrificed to preserve the freedoms you have granted us. We remember those who loved us enough to lay down their lives for us and pray they may rest in peace. We pray that you would comfort all those who mourn the loss in war of a loved one. We pray that we may never take the freedoms we have for granted and will share them with others. We pray that you will remove greed, envy, and lust for power from our hearts and the hearts of all people. We pray that you will root out violence from our lives, our communities, our nation, and our world. We pray that we may learn to share the world's resources with all and not hoard them for ourselves. We pray that we may learn to wage peace so that no more people will die in war. Jesus tells us that no one has greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. For all who have been willing to lay down their lives for us, we ask your blessing. For those of past wars who bear scars in their bodies and spirits, we ask your blessing. For those who came home but couldn't "fit in" anymore, we ask your blessing. Grant those who have sacrificed the peace they sought to preserve for others. As we honor them, we also pray for peace. We pray that we may learn to love one another. Teach all people the ways of peace so those who've sacrificed for peace and freedom will not have done so in vain. We pray all this in the name of Jesus, trusting in the promise that whatever we ask in his name, you will give. With prayers for peace.
************************** Sunday, June 3, 2007 Don Evans, Guest Preacher Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Sermon: Wisdom's Part in Creation Sunday Morning Opportunities
8:30 a.m. Worship (Communion)/ Special Music 9:15 a.m. Church School for Children and Adults 10:30 a.m. Worship/ Chancel Choir/ Recognition of Graduates/ Commissioning Mission Trip/ New Members 11:30 a.m. All Church Picnic at Oak Park Adult Classes at 9:15 ~ Bible Discoveries; Lounge Class ~ Video, Wrestling with Angels; Perspectives; Seasons of the Spirit; Seekers ~ Relationships; Senior High; Upper Room Time to Wish Don Well Sunday, June 3rd, will be Don Evans' last day as our Partner-in-Ministry intern. Don has been a great gift to us as a preacher, teacher, and pastoral visitor. Please lend your presence to this special time to say "thanks" and wish him God's blessings on his continued journey in ministry.
Camp Bethany Time is running out to save money on sending your child to camp. Fees increase from $150 to $180 for registration received after May 31st. Bethany Buckeyes The Buckeyes will meet Saturday, June 2nd at the Gehlert home, our final gathering of the season, for a picnic! Time: 6:00 PM. Meat and beverage will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share and your lawn chairs! It'll be fun! Graduation Accolades! We will be recognizing Bethany's 2007 graduates during the 10:30 worship service on June 3rd. If there is someone in your family you want recognized, please call the office by May 30th. Mission Trip Preparation Here are the important dates for the future: June 3 commissioning in 10:30 worship and parent information session June 9 depart for Ponca Creek June 17 return from Ponca Creek June 24 share in 8:30 & 9:30 worship
Save your tuna cans! We need them for a craft project when we are in Ponca Creek. Please bring CLEAN cans and leave them in the workroom. Thanks!
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, beginning June: June 5, 12, 19 July 24 August 21, 28 . . . to continue weekly Please send in your news articles as SOON AS POSSIBLE during the summer months. YOU MUST PLAN AHEAD!
Bethany summer worship hours start 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.
IHN Fund Raiser Jim Betty, IHN Administrative Volunteer Coordinator, is organizing a fundraiser for IHN. Here's the scoop: "It is time to get excited about the first annual 100 HOLES FOR THE HOMELESS. Here is the basic program. It will be held September 24th at the Rosemont Country Club. We are looking for 25-30 golfers willing to play 100 holes of golf and raise pledges of $2,500 minimum per golfer. It sounds like a lot but it only takes 500 of your closest friends to pledge 5 cents a hole, 1 friend to pledge $25 per hole, or any combination in between. We would like to have the golfers committed by the end of May. This will give them almost 4 months to get their pledges in and workout enough to actually play 100 holes of golf. Please approach your friends and members of your congregation that you think would like to play 100 holes of golf. All members are welcome to participate. The golfers will receive a continental breakfast, lunch, and soft drink beverages all day on the course, and a steak dinner afterward. More will be revealed. We will keep you updated." For questions or to sign up to play, please call Jim.
IHN at Bethany We are in need of twin sheets and twin blankets for our IHN guests when they stay overnight during our host week. We would prefer new but will also accept used in good condition. Each congregation is asked to collect a specific item for guests and Bethany's is toothbrushes and toothpaste. Please bring in your donations and place them in the social hall box marked for these collections. Thanks for considering this request. - Bob and Carolyn
House for Rent The Bethany-owned house, 2024 12th Street, is for rent. The house is air-conditioned, has three bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, kitchen, dining room, family room, and two enclosed porches. Rent is $950 per month. Anyone interested should call Dick Holle or the office at 330-923-5277.
Thanks for supporting us! This year the youth going on the mission trip are NOT having a van part sale! Why? We will be okay without it! However, Please hear us! We hope you will still give to another important need: THE BETHANY WINDOW FUND. You can help with the cost for the new, energy-efficient windows in the church school and office area. Make a pledge now and mail it to or drop it off at the church office. - --- Thanks, Bethany's Youth Fellowship
Please remember in your prayers . . .
Global Ministries What is the wider United Church of Christ doing around the world? Here's an example of the work Bethany supports through the funds we share each year for Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM). The St. Paul's Loaves and Fishes program is a hands-on example of how people put feet to their faith as the scripture calls us to do. In 1992 it became known that the community churches around St. Paul's Community Church in Cleveland, OH did not have a host for a hot meal the last Sunday of each month. The homeless had no place to go. Since that time so many years ago, a hot nourishing meal has been served every Sunday, year round for approximately 100 people. The small-dedicated crew at St. Paul's welcomes numerous Chagrin Valley groups as they journey over to this very different culture to not only create and serve a nourishing meal but to make new friends and get to know their guests. P R A Y E R: Healing and compassionate God, your hands hold gently all creation; your touch brings life in the face of death, your love transforms destruction into grace. Touch our lives with your Spirit, bringing new life and hope, so that we may live and serve you with joy and praise. Amen.
Fair Trade Coffee This is an awareness mission. We have increased the cost a little so we can cover the cost of the coffee and tea used at social hour. 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.
Recycle Look for the Abitibi Paper Retriever Bin at Bethany! We are always looking for ways to raise funds and what better way than with a paper recycling program. Paper suitable for recycling includes all CLEAN and DRY: Newspapers Magazines Shopping Catalogs Office and school papers PLEASE NOTE: NO cardboard, phone books or laminated paper. Photo Board Congregation: please submit a picture from your childhood, or of your children or grandchildren that involves water, example: children in a pool, water park, bathtub, beach, river, boat, etc. Please put your name on the back so we can return pictures to you. Thanks!
Come to the All Church Picnic at Oak Park Sunday, June 4th 2007 after the 10:30 service! Wear casual clothes to worship, then go right to the park! Hot dogs & hamburgers will be provided by the church; just bring your table service and a dish (side dish, salad, dessert, etc.) to share. We will have people assigned that morning to stir any hot dish or crock-pot that needs it so you don't have to worry about it during worship. There will be games & activities for all ages and athletic abilities ~ or lack of! We need help this year! If you would like to help plan games, move tables and chairs to the park, have a pick-up truck, or would like to do anything else, please call Denise O'Malley or Donna McDonald.
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 3rd Greeters: Brad and Juliana Bebout, Linda Goodwin Music: Special Music/ Chancel Choir Nursery: Harry Cool, Jack Dugan, Kristi Dugan, Matthew Tasker Ushers: Tim Hermann, Bob Charton, Marilyn Seguin, Mary Seymour, Andy McVan, Megan Ferda, Austin Renner, Sharon Holle Van Driver: Frank Read Visitor Outlook: Kim Wurgler Volunteers for June 10th Esperanza Cup Washing: Bethany Staff (Mission Trip) Greeters: Bob and Jan Charton, Frances Eckenrode Music: Donna and Tim/ Chancel Choir Nursery: Jennifer France, Megan Ferda, Stephen Ferda Social Hour: OPEN Ushers: Carolyn Hofmann, Herb Walker, Mary and Ralph Bowmaster, Carol and Bob Pletzer, Andrew Slota, Nancy Buck Van Driver: Jennifer France Visitor Outlook: Heather Bedillion
Calendar for May 30th to June 10th 5/30 10:00a Bible Study (CE) 5:00p DONATO'S NIGHT - 8:00p 6/01 6:30p Conf. Class & YF Reunion (SH) 6/02 6:00p Buckeyes at Gehlerts Sunday ~ June 3, 2007 - Annual All Church Picnic Nursery Available ~ 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Children remain in worship Don Evans, guest preacher 8:30a Worship/ (Communion) 9:15a Church School Children & Adults 10:30a Worship/ Recognition of Graduates/Commissioning of Mission Trippers 11:30a PICNIC ~ Oak Park 5:30p Youth Committee 6:30p Yth. Mission Trip ~ Parent Info. Session 6/04 9:00a Quilters 9:30a Shawl Ministry (L) 6/05 8:15a Staff Meeting 7:30p Retreat Committee (L) 6/06 7:30p Spiritual Council (BD) 6/07 6:00p (SH) Reserved 7:30p Choir Practice 6/08 6/09 Youth Mission Trip Begins 12:00p (SH) Reserved Sunday ~ June 10, 2007 Nursery Available ~ 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. The Rev. Mark Steiner, guest preacher 8:30a Worship (Fellowship) 9:15a Church School for ALL Ages 10:30a Worship/ Chancel Choir/ Children's S.S. 11:30a Social Hour
Return to Main Page
|
Photo Gallery - Visitors - Missions - Education - Music - Statement - Sermons |