Special Events
Kids Summer camps - 5 individual one day camps, possibly the week of July 5-9th. For those who have finished pre-K through 5th grade.
- Monday: Art CampTuesday-Cooking Camp
- Wednesday: Make-a-race car OR Jewelry making
- Thursday: Movie and Outdoor games
- Friday: Drama
These will occur from 9am-2pm. The kids need to bring a sack lunch. We will provide lemonade/kool-aid daily. Each camp will have time for the kids to play outside on the playground.
The cost is $10 per day, or $40 for the week. A sign-up form will be posted soon. Please help us advertise this event by emailing this jpg or this page to someone. Or, print one out and hand it to them!
Please see registration information here.
Bethel Friends & Family Fellowship Dinners
Dinners are on the second and fourth Wed. nights, 6-7pm. Potluck dinner will resume in August.
Wed., July, SPECIAL COB Outreach Turkey Dinner, Christmas in July, 6pm, Fellowship Hall, bring a dish to share. $6 per person (special price to raise money to kick off our Christmas Outreach Program) or $20 for a family of 4.
Wed., Junly 28, 6pm, Fellowship Hall. Fellowship Dinner will be hosted by the Chronological Class. The menu will be Salads, chicken salad, pasta salad, green salad, tuna salad, etc. There will be home made cakes for dessert, just $5 per person, $20 family cap!
Homecoming August 1 (150th Celebration)
Next Meeting: June 15, 7pm, Choir Room (or Sanctuary if we need to move into it)
Bethel’s 150th Homecoming celebration is almost here! A very special worship service has been planned for Sunday, August 1, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. (one service). Dr. Robert Brown, who served Bethel from 1999–2004, will bring the morning message and his wife, Denise, will provide special music. The Quartet, Praise Band, and the Chancel Choir will also be singing as we praise God together celebrating Bethel’s rich heritage. Join us as we worship! Please pick up all the packets you need to invite family, friends, and neighbors. Additional information on the 150th Homecoming can be found on the Bethel UMC website: http://www.bethel-umc.com or call Joan McElroy (770) 506-7887 or Sheila Ricks (770) 483-2779.
Events and projects being planned include:
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Invitation packets are available in the Narthex for you to invite friends and extended family members.
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Memory Book – is being developed. A copy will be available to each Bethel family. Additional books may be ordered. Thank you for the memories and pictures that you made available for the book. If you have a business or know of a business person, ads are available for advertising in the Memory Book. We want to include your earliest memories of Bethel (all ages). Email your memories to mailto:office@bethel-umc.com or drop off a handwritten copy in a box located in the Narthex. The deadline for memories, pictures and former pastor letters is July 6.
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Archives continue to be collected. Archive display boards are located in the Sanctuary Narthex and on the Chapel Information Table
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Former pastors are invited to submit a letter for the Memory Book. ?Email to office@bethel-umc.com or surface mail to Bethel UMC, 245 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, GA 30281
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A cookbook, “The Joy We Share; 150 Years of Good Cooking at Bethel United Methodist Church,” prepared by Bethels Joy Circle, includes special memorial recipes from loved ones already with the Lord.
Beautiful 150th commemorative plates and mugs can be pre-ordered.
Homecoming Moments: During the month of July, each Sunday service will include the following;
July 4 40 Years of Memories by Carolyn Scott
July 11 32 Years of Memories by Larry Ricks
July 18 92 Years of Memories by Kathryne Thurman Mitchell
(Read by Joan Thurman McElroy)
July 25 Men’s Chorus singing “Sweet Beulah Land”
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“Dinner on the Grounds:” The traditional pot-luck lunch following the 150th Homecoming Service, will be held in the newly decorated Fellowship Hall.
Appreciation Dinner of Gratitude: For every $150 donation toward the Sanctuary Debt Reduction, you will receive a gift certificate for one seat at the dinner held on Saturday, July 31st. Please indicate on your check “Mortgage Reduction.”
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Abigail’s Pantry: While we enjoy wonderful meals on Saturday Night and Sunday afternoon, some folks in our community are struggling to feed their families. To share Bethel's blessings, please bring a donation for Abigail's Pantry, a service we provide for our neighbors needing some extra help during these trying economic times. Please bring non-perishable goods to these meals and drop in the specially marked boxes in Fellowship Hall.
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Bethel Cemetery is one of Bethel’s oldest pieces of history. Homecoming is traditionally the time for building the endowment fund for its maintenance. Please indicate on your check “Cemetery Trust Fund.”
The next 150th Homecoming Team meeting is Monday, July 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. If you have any questions about the 150th Homecoming, please call Joan McElroy (770) 506-7887 or Sheila Ricks (770) 483-2779, Co-Chairs, 150th Homecoming Team.
Women and Men's Ministries
We encourage all the ladies and men of the church to consider getting involved this year in one of our two United Methodist Women (UMW) Circles and our Men's Ministry. These small groups allow for some great fellowship, meaningful service in missions, and an expansion of spiritual growth among women.
There are many opportunities for men and women to meet together. This group is a chance for women to gather and discuss mission possibilities and grow with each other. And, as any of these women will tell you, they also have a whole lot of fun in the process!
Something for every woman and man in the church... United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men Ministries are about missions and creating strong Christ-centered relationships among the men and women of the United Methodist Church, and strong relationships with others involved with or benefiting from missions. Come and see what we're all about.
(UMW) Katie Nep Circle - July 17- 10am (special time and location)
We will be attending the Shingle Roof Camp meeting on July 17th. We will meet at the church at 10:00 am and take the church van to worship at 11:00. Afterwards we will have lunch in the dining hall (so bring money). Seating in the van is limited to 15, so please call Doreen at 770-507-9354 to reserve a spot on the van.
(UMW) JOY Circle Meeting - June 15, 7pm
Ladies, come join us! JOY Circle regulars will bring a dish to share and you can join us in the Fellowship Hall for a time of fellowship and fun and growth. We thank EY Baine for his presentation and reflections in May about his trip to Africa.
United Methodist Men - July 24, 8am
Regular Breakfast Meeting, 8am. Please come and join us for a time of fellowship and devotion.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY:
Do you enjoy working with children? Are you looking for a way to serve? Then become part of an exciting year for our Children’s Ministry.
Kids LIVE B.I.G.will be taking a break until school starts back. In the meantime, you will soon be seeing more info on these upcoming Kids events. We hope you will hop in and find a place to volunteer, even if it's only for one night or one day. We'll have info soon on ways you can get involved
Children's Church for ages 5 and up, every Sunday. Now your child can have a chance to interact during the service with others of their own age. And the nursery folks will be better able to serve the toddlers in the nursery. Thanks to all who are participating.
Children's Sunday Evening Program - LIVE B.I.G.
This exciting new program, LIVE B.I.G. (Believers in God), will be a chance for kids grades preschool through 5th grade to meet every Sunday evening from 5-7pm for drama, music, food, fun, and the word of God.
Come and be involved in the children’s ministry. Please contact Steve or Alicia Mohr at 770-507-7880, or e-mail. We need your help in this very rewarding endeavor!
You will soon be seeing more info on these upcoming Kids events. We hope you will hop in and find a place to volunteer, even if it's only for one night or one day. We'll have info soon on ways you can get involved.
If you have ANY ideas, or have a skill, hobby or interest you would like to share with kids, please let Alicia Mohr know!
YOUNG ADULT / COLLEGE MINISTRY:
Keeping in Touch…We want to keep in touch with all of you! If you are away pursuing knowledge at a college campus, please email us (Pam Gay) your new address and contact information!
Activities... Our 5 week Wednesday night small group study on "The Me I Want To Be" by John Ortberg concludes July 7th. Thanks to the 11 who participated and for those of you who didn't...WE MISSED YOU!
Opportunities to Serve this Summer! The children who will be attending our Hero Headquarters Vacation Bible School July 18-22 are calling your name! Please plan to be a Hero to the kids by offering your time and talents on one or all 4 nights. Guaranteed good times! There are also opportunities for you to help with the Children's summer camps July 5th-9th from 9am-2pm. Contact Pam Gay or Alicia Mohr now if you can volunteer!
Food & Fun Activities: Coffee Anyone? Plan to join us for coffee and hang-out time at Starbucks on Hudson Bridge at 7PM Friday, July 16th
Love Mexican Food? Plan to join us at Rico's on East Atlanta Road at 7 PM on Friday, August 6th
Watch the newsletter and/or the Bethel & Beyond Facebook Page for updates for more activities to come.
Adults...Do you have a heart for encouraging college students? If you'd like to be a part of this outreach & support program, please contact Pam Gay at 770-474-5472 or by email.
YOUTH - Please see the Youth Web site for full details on our youth program.
How Can You Help? Where Can You Help?
Abigail's Pantry
There are many people in our community using Abigail’s Pantry. Donations of food are always needed and welcomed. There is also another need and opportunity to help with Abigail’s Pantry. We would like to have volunteers to cover set hours of the day to be here to assist people who come in that are in need of help from Abigail’s Pantry.
This would involve a volunteer during a couple of hours on Tuesday through Friday. It would be during normal office hours. Normal office hours are 9:00 to 1:00 Monday through Friday. The volunteer would not only help individuals who need assistance with the pantry, but also help answer the phones. This would help the administra-tive assistant to be more effec-tive in day to day operations, as well as provide a safer work environment. If interested contact Pastor Lavell at the church office. 770-474-4906.
Nursery Team Volunteer Openings
The Nursery Ministry needs you. We have two teams each Sunday. The first team is there from 8:30 until 10:30 and the second team is there from 10:30 until the end of service. We rotate so that you can attend one of the church services. If you are willing to volunteer for this vital service to the church, please contact the church office. We will try to work with what you time you are willing to volunteer.
Calling All Pray-ers
As we prepare for our upcoming activities at Bethel — would you (yes, you) please consider making a commitment to pray specifically for Bethel, her staff (and their famlies) and her leaders on a daily basis? Would you also consider meeting together with other pray-ers on a weekly basis (time to be determined based on responses) specifically for this purpose? If so, please contact Deborah by email or the church office. Thank you.
Help Us Grow Our "Kids Live B.I.G." and other Children's Programming at Bethel
Three ways you can help this ministry grow:
1) Talk to Alicia and Steve Mohr about being on a "Live B.I.G." Sunday evening leader team and/or dinner team
2) Talk to Alicia and Steve Mohr about being on a Sunday Morning Children's Church team.
3) Talk to Sheila Ricks about being on a Sunday Morning Nursery Team.
Stephen MInistry
How can you access a Stephen Minister? What will a Stephen Minister do, or not do? Folks are always a little uncertain about what all Stephen MInistry means to the church, congregation, and community. Well, there is a great short video about Stephen Ministry that we want to bring to your attention. You know, you can both access a Stephen Minister or become a Stephen Minister. Maybe you've been led in this direction, or you know you need someone to stand by you. View the Stephen Ministry feature on the PBS Web site Watch the video and just see what it's all about. And please pass this along to others who might be in need of a Stephen MInister.
If you find yourself or someone close to you needing a Stephen Minister, or are interested in exploring Stephen Ministry, please call the church office at 770-474-2570 or email us at the church office. Or, contact Diane Geno, Gail Craft, or Laurie Smith for more information.
Join a Class or Study today!
Join a class or study at Bethel or invite another person to come to your class or studay. There's always a place at Bethel for you to plug in and grow!
Wednesday Mid-day Bible Study: Knowing God with Heart and Mind
Every Wednesday at noon in the conference room
Drop-ins welcome always! Focus is on prayer right now.
DISCIPLE CLASSES Contact the church office if you are interested in our next round of Disiciple Classes. These classes are limited to 12 people per class and they do fill up quickly
Life Line Ministry
Everyone needs a Life Line at some point. Why wait until it's an emergency? Why not get a life line right now? Bethel is now starting Life Line groups. You can connect with other people who attend Bethel to share devotions and friendship. Sign up in the narthex of the Worship Center and get involved in a Life Line group today.
Celebration Choir Wants You!
The Celebration choir, which sings at the 8:30 service, is reforming. If you would like to be a part of this music ministry, please contact Randy Godwin at 770-954-0198 or email him here.
What is your passion and what are you doing with it?
From a recent Rick Warren (Purpose Driven Life) devotion:
From now on if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today, love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you, he'll take charge of sending the rain at the right time .... Deuteronomy 11:13-14 (MSG)
Aim instead for "the better life" -- serving God in a way that expresses your heart. Figure out what you love to do -- that which God gave you a heart for -- and then do it for his glory!
Do you have certain things that are passionate to you? Things you love to do? Activities you love to take part in or do on your own? God gives each of us individual passions, talents, gifts...things that really make our hearts beat faster and stronger. Do you realize He may also want you to exercise that passion in ministry? Whether it is a hobby, a natural talent, something you do for a living, or just something that others have commented that you do well — consider using that passion for God's Kingdom. There are obvious and much less obvious needs in ministry... and you are a stroke of paint in the big picture. If you have a passion and you'd like to explore how to exercise it, contact Clyde, Kellie, Pam, Alan, or Diane and tell us about it. Let's see if we can help get you plugged into a ministry that God has that is just waiting to happen!
Why Church is important to You?
(from Purpose Driven Life) ...God's purposes for his church are identical to his five purposes for you. Worship helps you focus on God; fellowship helps you face life's problems; discipleship helps fortify your faith; ministry helps find your talents; power helps fulfill your mission. There is nothing else on earth like the church!
The Bible says we are put together, joined together, built together, members together, heirs together, fitted together, and held together and will be caught up together. (1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:21, 22; 3:6; 4:16; Colossians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Community Events, Updates and Thank You's for recent events:
Lunch Bunch
Please join us! We meet at the church around 11:00 am every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month. You are welcome to come eat and fellowship with us!
Is it Candy or Medicine?
Please use this poster to help your kids learn what is poison to them and what is really candy. The similarities are startling.
Emergency Relief in Tennessee, Chile and Haiti - UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is always one of the first groups onsite of national and international disasters.
- Emergency relief in Haiti, click here.
- For Chile, click here.
- Or you can put a check in the church plate on Sunday and put this number on the check. #418325 for Haiti, and #3021178 for Chile.
- We've set up a page on our site linking you to several places on United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) site.
- To help flood victims in the southeast, put #901670 on your check, or click here.
- Make sure you choose Bethel in the drop-down menu area.
Friend's House Collection
For several years now our congregation has supported Friends House. Save up your coins for the 3rd Sunday of each month. The Friends House Home will come around to collect your change. See below for more info about Friends House.
A Friend’s House is dedicated to meeting the emotional and physical needs of children in crisis. Services such as counseling, medical treatment, academic assistance and recreational opportunities are available for the children. Please join us in our effort to improve the lives of these special children. Please visit the other pages on our website detailing volunteer opportunities or giving opportunities.
Thank you for your interest in A Friend’s House.
Donations Accepted Monday - Friday 8:00 - 5:00 pm a wish list is listed on their website www.afriendshouse.org/friends-house/about-us.html
Someone needs your used towels, comforters, blankets, etc...
Do you have old towels, old comforters or blankets, or old small, machine washable rugs that you're not using, but just don't want to throw out ? A local vet will be happy to take those off your hands (or floors or out of closets) to be used in crates and kennels for sick and healing dogs and cats. They are happy to help you recycle these items and put them to good use! Drop them off in the red plastic basket above the rice and beans bins in the narthex. If you have any questions, contact Diane Geno.
Recycle Tips - With nearly 73,000 households throwing away an average of 16.8 pounds of waste per day in a community with no landfill of its own, it is critical that we begin doing more to reduce our waste and protect our environment. Henry County’s New Curbside Recycling Program is a giant step in the right direction. Beginning June 1, all waste haulers must offer curbside recycling for homeowners in unincorporated Henry County.
For details on a specific hauler, green tips, or other helpful information, please visit www.co.henry.ga.us/Green
Ongoing Clothing Donations Made Easy - Nspire in Atlanta has a ongoing way for you to easily schedule clothing and other items for donations. They will pick it up depending on when you are ready. And they will also send email reminders to you to remember to schedule a pickup. What could be easier!! Just visit http://clothingpickupatl.com/. |
