THE BETHANY LETTERSeptember 18, 2007 Volume 2007, Issue No. 29 | |||||||||||||||
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The Wonder of Worship These words from a recent issue of The Clergy Journal are a good reminder of why we do what we do in worship. The first fruits of the land are to be offered to God in praise and thanksgiving for all God has done. But like anything else about our worship, this offering can become empty ritual until at some point in the years ahead; we people of God begin to question why we even bother. So as we bring these first fruits, certain words are to be spoken, words that recount God's awesome intervention in the lives of God's people; words that keep before God's people a watershed event in their history. God has accomplished amazing things and continues to work within human history, bringing new life out of bondage to sin and death. This is a God who not only makes promises that reach beyond our personal time and space, but also who has the power to bring into being every word that is spoken. God never forgets the people of God. Scripture proclaims and celebrates this truth. But we are not so steadfast in our loyalty and love. We readily turn to God in lament and supplication, seeking God's mercy when life seems to be crashing in upon us. But let our situation resolve, let things get back on track, and the sunny days fool us into thinking that we are in charge once again and that God can be safely put back on the shelf until the next crisis erupts.
The sacred things of worship should always point to the presence of God in the midst of God's people and their history. The sacred should throw light on both the ties that bind us one to another and those that bind the entire community to God. Recounting our faith history with this amazing God helps to make God more real in our lives now. It is often difficult to discern the presence of God in our own time. Every age struggles with this. So we recount God's activity in human history to affirm our faith and to hold up God's promise that we are never forsaken. The strong faith that grows out of God's long faithfulness to humankind leads to worship in the here and now, leads us to bring the first fruits of our lives to honor the God we believe is still fully present in our world. This living testimony of worship then pulls into the celebration those who reside among us, but who do not yet know our God. God acts; we respond with the giving of ourselves. We worship in reverence and awe, and others are pulled into the story of the people God is gathering as God's own. There is tremendous purpose both in our remembrance of God's faithfulness and our celebration of it. This is to be no routine act of duty or something we squeeze into an overloaded schedule. This is worship! This is us - grateful people - coming into the presence of God for no other reason than to delight in that presence. We come not because we must, but because we are invited, and we know within this sacred time and space, something will be born that is precious and rare. We know this about God. God is never done creating, renewing, redirecting, giving life. This is not something to miss. We daily carry the reminder of all God has done for us. Each day marks the passing of time, taking us a step closer to the cross of Good Friday. As the followers of Christ, we've already come into our inheritance. We no longer await deliverance; we no longer fear our bondage to sin and death and our inability to save ourselves. In the death and life of Christ, we've come into the land that was promised us; this is why we do what we do as those who bear Christ's name. In offering our first fruits, we give to God the very best of who we are and hope to be. Because the cross stands before us, we know that this is not something we achieve. We receive it all as grace and give it back as praise. The land, the first fruits, our worship, our lives - all flow from God and belong to God. Our recognition of this deepens our praise, leads us to walk more fully in the light of the One who went into the depths of darkness so that we'd never have to. It's a strange life we live, we people of God: full of mystery and yet ever in danger of having that mystery explained away, of losing the awe and wonder of being caught up in the divine story of creation and rebirth. Still, we gather in hope; we come with the first fruits of our lives and we present ourselves before our God. This is where we are meant to be. ********************** Family Sunday ~ September 23, 2007 Scripture: Luke 16:1-13 Sunday Morning Opportunities . . . 8:30 a.m. Worship (Story & Song)/ Denise O'Malley, guitar 9:15 a.m. Church School for Children & Adults 10:30 a.m. Worship/ Young Shepherds/ Baptism/ 3rd Grade Bibles given/ Children remain in worship 11:30 a.m. Social Hour Host: Seasons of the Spirit Class Adult Classes at 9:15a.m: Bible Discoveries; Lounge Class ~ Video, Thomas Moore Story, Part 2; Seasons of the Spirit; Seekers; Senior High; Upper Room; Perspectives Confirmation Schedule
Youth Fellowship Schedule PLEASE turn in the "E-mail, Volunteer, and Transportation/Liability" forms. No one will be able to ride to any YF event away from Bethany unless they've turned in a Transportation/Liability form.
to learn and grow in faith on Sunday mornings. They include: Bible Discoveries - studies one of the books of the Bible Lounge Class - discusses a variety of current faith topics Perspectives - discusses faith issues in current films Seasons of the Spirit - discusses the biblical themes from that Sunday's worship Seekers - discusses a variety of contemporary faith issues Upper Room - connects the scripture for Sunday worship with life and faith All of these classes gather between 9:15 and 9:30 and end by 10:20 in time for the 2nd worship service at 10:30. They would love to have you join them. Young Shepherds Sing! The Young Shepherds ~ Bethany's children ~ will be singing Sunday, September 23rd during the Family Service at 10:30 a.m. Please join us and hear their beautiful voices! New Horizons Band Concert Tuesday, September 24th 7:00 p.m. Bethany's Social Hall - All are invited!
Attention Current and Future Nursery Volunteers Currently we are working on the nursery schedule that will run from mid-October 2007 through October 2008. There are two opportunities to help in the nursery: 9:15-10:15 and 10:15-11:30 am. If you would like to become a volunteer or are a current volunteer and are unable to continue, please contact Tammy Jensen by September 30th. This is your chance to help care for the youngest members of our church. Thanks to all of our nursery volunteers for providing this valuable service to Bethany.
IHN Our next IHN host week is September 30th - October 6th. We are in need of volunteers for meal preparation, overnight hosts, and laundry crew. Please consider donating a few hours of your week to help our IHN families. Please call Carolyn to volunteer. Bethany Nurses On the first Sunday of each month, Bethany's volunteer nurses, Linda Goodwin and Holly Keenan, offer blood pressure tests during social hour (10:30). If you are interested in having your BP checked, look for them in the library October 7th. Also, they are looking for topics of interest to present in the coming year and will have a suggestion box we hope to see filled with ideas: health, social or family issues; relaxation techniques, CPR with or without certification, etc. We would also welcome new members - laypersons included.
The 2008 Akron Edition ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS The 2008 books are here and ready to sell for $30.00. When you purchase a book (with the money saving coupons and meals at local establishments) you help the annual Chancel Choir Fundraiser as well. The 2007 edition is still good through November of this year. The 2008 edition coupons are valid immediately through November of 2008. Books are available after the 2nd service, or contact Martha Peyak. Thanks for your support.
Office Request . . . The church office appreciates the use of Bethany's giving envelopes as it's printed with YOUR envelope number and date; you write in the amount, check or cash. This information is needed in posting your offering. Please completely fill out the front of the envelope with: Amount given to specific fund (G.B., flowers, etc.) Total amount of check/cash enclosed Mark check or cash box
Donate Cards Bethany is still in need of children's birthday cards. If you have a box at home to donate, leave them in the workroom next to the office. Thanks. Global Missions Our Church's Wider Mission is often described as "Who We Are" as the United Church of Christ - and that's true. We might even say that OCWM is "Who We Are - Together!" Because UCC churches give faithfully and generously to OCWM through Basic Support and the special mission offerings, hunger and homelessness and world health are being addressed. Victims of war, famine, and natural disaster are helped. Churches are started and nurtured, church buildings are made more accessible, and ministries are growing and giving glory to God, all over the place. Native American pastors are supported in their long and arduous drives across many hundreds of miles, and congregations and pastors are supported in the process of listening to God's call and find each other. Through Our Church's Wider Mission, you and your congregation are doing so much more together then any one of us could ever do alone - thanks be to God! P R AY E R: Persistently forgiving God, we are a stiff-necked and stubborn people who try your patience; yet, instead of giving us up for lost, you seek us out until we return to you. Break our willfulness and bring us back from our wanderings; bend our pride and create in us pure and faithful hearts, which rejoice in your forgiveness made known through Jesus Christ. Amen. Esperanza Bethany members and friends can help the 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.
Chancel Choir Director Resignation Effective immediately, Spiritual Council has accepted Judith Overcash’s resignation as Director of Adult Vocal Music here at Bethany. We wish her the best as she shares her musical gifts in future endeavors. Spiritual Council has asked Carolyn Curtis to serve as Interim Director for the Chancel Choir and she has graciously consented. A Search Committee for a new Director will be appointed as soon as possible. We ask for your patience and prayers during the interim time.
Please remember in your prayers . . . Jenny Bisesi, Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital Maureen Craddock, Akron City Hospital Dorothy Draper, Rockynol Albert Jensen, Manor Care Geraldine Hunter, Briarwood Ellen Limbach, Briarwood Margaret Martin, Western Res. Asst'd. Living Happy Birthday to Dorothy Draperwho will celebrate her 105th birthday September 27th
In Sympathy … We extend our Christian sympathy to the family of Ellen Limbach who passed away on September 17th.
THANK YOU A special thanks to Ed Frederick and John Wachovic for the extra effort they gave during the construction of the dumpster pad. - The Property Committee Dear Bethany, My husband John and I wish to thank you so much for the pastoral visit and the lovely yellow knitted prayer shawl I was given after my surgery. It was truly a lift. Thanks also for sending Caitlin Zeller of the Esperanza group to help me with the housework. She is doing a great job. I'm so thankful for her. God bless you for being so kind. - Linda Grazulis Thanks to everyone who came to be informed about the crisis of climate change by seeing the film An Inconvenient Truth. We had a great turnout and a very receptive spirit toward recognizing the urgency of the problem. Thanks to the Mission Committee and Youth Sponsors for helping to arrange the meal beforehand, to George Jensen for being our projectionist, and to Bob Novak and Bob Pletzer for introducing the film and facilitating the discussion. Look for the insert in this newsletter for ideas on basic steps you can take to reduce carbon emissions. For more ideas go to www.climatecrisis.org
Calendar for September 19th to October 3rd 9/19 8:00a Men's Fellowship Breakfast (Lounge)9:30a Bible Study, Luke (CE Office) 7:00p C.E. Committee Meeting 9/20 7:30p Confirmation/ Class Only 7:30p Choir Practice
Family Sunday - September 23, 2007 Nursery Available ~ 9:15 - 11:30 a.m. Children remain in worship 8:30a Worship (Story and Song) 9:15a Church School for Children and Adults 10:30a Worship/ 3rd Grade Bibles given/ Baptism 11:30a Social Hour 11:45a 7th Day Rehearsal 9/24 9:00a Quilters9:30a Shawl Ministry (Lounge) 10:00a Newsletter Deadline 10:00a Sponsors Meeting 7:00p Boy Scouts (Gym) 7:00p New Horizons Band Concert (Social Hall) 9/25 8:15a Staff Meeting (Lounge)9/26 9:30a Bible Study, Luke (CE Office)7:00p COMMITTEE NIGHT 9/27 7:30p Choir Practice 9/28 ALL CHURCH RETREAT to 9/309/29 10:00a Lunch on Us - Miller Ave.Sunday ~ September 30, 2007 Nursery Available ~ 9:15 - 11:30 a.m. Rev. Mark Steiner, guest preacher IHN Guest Week 8:30a Worship (Traditional) 9:15a Church School for Children and Adults 10:30a Worship/ Children's Sunday School 11:30a Social Hour 6:00p IHN Dinner (S. Hall) October. . . 10/01 9:00a Quilters 9:30a Shawl Ministry (Lounge) 10:00a Newsletter Deadline 6:00p IHN Dinner (Lounge) 10/02 8:15a Staff Meeting (Lounge)6:00p IHN Dinner (Social Hall) 10/03 9:30a Bible Study6:00p IHN Dinner (Social Hall) 7:00p Mission (Social Hall)
Sunday Volunteers Names of Sunday Volunteers are published AHEAD of the scheduled Sunday as a kindly reminder and an early thank you! If you are unable to volunteer the day you are scheduled, please remember to: find someone to take your place and then call the church office so we may make necessary changes.
Volunteers for September 23rd Esperanza Cup Washing: C. Zeller, T. Giffen Greeters: The Bedillion Family, B&M Peyak Music: Denise O'Malley, guitar/ Young Shepherds Nursery: J. France, M. Ferda, S. Ferda, C. Zeller Social Hour Host: Seasons of the Spirit Class Ushers: C. Hofmann, B. Charton, R&M Bowmaster, A. McVan, H. Bowman, S&R Alberson Van Driver: L. Goodwin Visitor Outlook: L. Godwin Volunteers for September 30th Esperanza Cup Washing: E. Jensen, K. McDevitt Greeters: The Millsaps Family/ C.B. Hofmann Lay Reader: R. Schreiber Music: Nursery: A. Keenan, B. Lees, A. Lorentz, J. Shroyer Social Hour Host: OPEN Ushers: J. & S. Mancinelli, H. Walker, S. Truby, S. Ward, J. Williams, L. Short, S. Mancinelli, H. Nagel Van Driver: B. Read Visitor Outlook:
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