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Message from the Minister
Most of you are probably familiar with "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" found in Luke 15:11-32. The parable is about a young man who asks his father for his inheritance because he's decided to leave home. It's an amazing story of loss, repentance and restoration. Before I became a dad, I always read this story from the son's perspective. However, as the father of three children, I now read this story from a very different perspective today.
I wonder what went through this dad's mind when his son came and asked for his inheritance. I'm sure he wasn't happy with the request, but for some reason, he decides to grant his son's wish.
As I read this parable, I can't help but wonder what went through my own father's mind twenty years ago when I came to him and said I was leaving. As many of you know, he is a minister, and everybody knows about preacher's kids. I didn't ask for my inheritance, although I probably asked for some money to buy gas. At any rate, I was tired of being at home, tired of church and tired of taking orders. I wanted to get as far away as possible, so I moved from Gainesville, Georgia to Oxford, Mississippi. I thought I knew everything and that my dad just didn't understand. It's not until we get out on our own for a few years that we realize that dad really did know what he was talking about.
As we approach Father's Day this coming Sunday, I'm thankful for my dad's influence in my life. Although I strayed in my younger years, it was my father's love that has helped me get to where I am today. Thanks Dad - I love you.
I recently came across a poem that has really made me think about my role as a father and I'd like to share it with you.
"His little arms crept round my neck,
And then I heard him say,
Four simple words that made me pray.
They turned a mirror on my soul,
On secrets no one knew,
They startled me, I hear them yet,
He said, "I'll be like you."
What an awesome responsibility we have as fathers! We bring our children to church - present them in Baptism and promise to raise them in the knowledge and love of God. Unfortunately, I'm afraid we sometimes forget, that as our sons and daughters grow and learn, our influence will play a vital role in the person they will become.
This Sunday, my dad, Glenn Ray, will be our guest preacher at the 9:30 and 11:00 Sanctuary services. He graduated from the Candler School of Theology, at Emory University. He has been a United Methodist pastor for forty-three years and presently serves The Grimes United Methodist Church in Grimes, Iowa. I hope you'll join him this Sunday!
Happy Father's Day!
Rev. Jody Ray
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Worship Services This Week 
Chapel Service
8:15am in the Chapel
"Dad, Tell Me Something": Rev. Kim
McGarr
Joel 1:1-3
Sanctuary Service
9:30 & 11:00am in the Sanctuary
"Philip: The Man Who Was Available" - Rev. Glenn Ray (Guest Pastor from The Grimes United Methodist Church in Grimes,
Iowa, and father of Rev. Jody Ray)
Acts 8:35
Encounter (Contemporary) Service
11:00am in the Fellowship Hall
"The Gospel According
to John Wesley - Week 3: Grace": Rev. Diane Parrish
Romans 5:8-9
St. Philip UMC
11:00am at St. Philip UMC
"Godly Dads, Spiritual Parents": Rev. Jon Ponders
I
Thessalonians 2:1-12
Camp S.P.L.A.T. Children's Worship for K-5th Grade
11:00am in the Basement of the F Building
"GOD IS . . . Comfort"
Ruth 1:1-22
God's Garden Worship (Ages 3 (9/01/09) through Pre K)
9:30am & 11am in A35
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Church News 
Please
visit mtbethel.org for more details about our
ministries, programs and events. If you are visiting Mt. Bethel for the first time, please stop by the Visitor Information Booth. There you can find information about Children's Worship, Nursery & Sunday School options. If you wish to become a member or would like to receive our monthly newsletter, please contact our Membership Office at 678-560-7226.
Welcome New Members!
David & Tricia Delk, 4340 Hadaway Rd, Kennesaw 30152, 404-983-6172.
Father Daughter Luau - Saturday, June 26 from 6:30-8:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets available online or in the Bookstore. All ages welcome!
All hands on Deck! Do you want to make a splash and help a child learn about the deep love God has for each of us? Then come take a swashbuckling adventure into God's Word at High Seas Expedition July 19-23 from 9:30am-12:30pm. Your voyage begins here! Contact Dianne Hylton - 770-971-5074 or Angela Pinniger - 770-579-9065 to accept the invitation to volunteer. We have a special place in the crew just for you! You can register online.
Career Ministry - Tuesday, June 22 - Interviewing for Success & Negotiating Your Compensation Package. Job seekers tend to spend most of their preparation time developing the "perfect" resume. While it takes a good resume to get an interview, it is the interview that ultimately determines who gets the job. This session will focus on interviewing strategies and preparation which will give job seekers confidence, help control the interview, and differentiate them from the competition. During the session we also discuss strategies for dealing with the challenging question, "What is your current salary?" Resume reviews at 6:30pm. Presentation begins at 7:30pm at the Mt. Bethel Community Center.
Patriotic
CDs and DVDs are in the Bookstore in time for the fourth of July! Pick
one up today!
Christmas
in June! Camp Hope is celebrating Christmas early this year and collecting
items for Camp Hope 2010! You can help Camp Hope by donating
snacks, $15 or $20 Wal-Mart gift cards or scholarships for campers to attend
Camp Hope. Drop-off your donations in the collection boxes placed in the Mt.
Bethel Main Office. Be sure to visit our table in the Connector on Sunday
morning, June 20 and June 27, to take a tag off our Christmas tree. You'll
also have the opportunity to purchase exclusive Camp Hope sunglasses for a
donation of $5!
Photo
Collage Workshop with Janet Suarez Friday & Saturday June 25 & 26 at the Community
Center West Room. Friday hours - 10am-5pm, Saturday hours - 1-5pm. For more
information, please contact Kim McGarr - 770-579-9224.
A
few spaces still available for Jungle Book, Kids, July 12 - 16, 9:00-1:00.
Contact Sandra Chapman.
Mt. Bethel's Grief Support Group meets Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm in Room B106. You, and anyone you know, who is grieving the loss of a loved one is invited to attend. If you have questions, please call Wil Parker at 678-560-2801.
Do you want information about the planned Mt. Bethel's Courtyard (Columbarium) and Memorial Walk ? For more information, please contact Gale Koven - 678-560-7450 or Dan Boswell - 678-560-3259. There will be an information table in the connector on Sundays
during June.
Camp Hope's Christmas in June - Camp Hope is
celebrating Christmas early this year and collecting items for Camp Hope
2010! You can help Camp Hope by donating snacks, $15 or $20 Wal-Mart gift
cards or scholarships for campers to attend Camp Hope. Drop-off your donations
in the collection boxes placed in the Mt. Bethel Main Office. Be sure to
visit our table in the Narthex on Sundays, June 20 & June 27, to
take a tag off our Christmas tree. You'll also have the opportunity to
purchase exclusive Camp Hope sunglasses for a donation of $5! Thank you for
your help!
Children's Ministry
Summer
Sundays for Children (through August 1) 3-
(by 9/01/10) & 4-year-olds - 9:30 & 11:00 Sunday
School - 3's Lower C Hall & 4's Upper C Hall God's
Garden Worship Service - A 35 (under Sanctuary) Kindergarten
- 5th Grade 9:30
- Sunday School - 1st & 2nd Floor of F Building 11:00
- Camp Splat Worship Service - Basement of F Building
Student
Ministry
Summer
Sunday Registrations are here! Forms are
online or outside the Upper Room.
Our
Events for Middle School are as follows: June
27 | Stone Mountain from 4-11pm - $30
and bring money for food too! July
18 | Braves Game from 1-8 pm - $20
plus money for food! July
25 | Six Flags over Georgia from 1-10pm - $45
plus money for food! ($15 if you have a season pass) Now
for the High School opportunities! June
20 | Braves Game from 1-8pm $20 plus
money for food! July
11 | Where's Waldo @ the Avenue from 4-6pm -
this a FREE event July
25 | Six Flags over GA - from 1-10pm - $45
plus money for food! ($15 if you have a season pass)
College/Young Adult Ministry
Join
us each Sunday morning at 9:30 am in the CAC for Bible study and
discussion.
Recreation
Ministry
Youth
Fall Sports Registration has begun for Baseball, Softball, T-Ball, Soccer, Flag
Football and Volleyball. For more information on pricing and age
requirements go to mtbethel.org/rec or call 770-971-5280. Register online
(additional $5 fee) or stop by the CAC.
Summer
has arrived and Mt. Bethel Recreation's Summer Camps are underway:
Sports
Camp II - June 21-25, We look forward to seeing you on Monday at 8:30. All campers
were sent a letter this week with instructions on where we are going and what
to bring each day. We have a fun filled week planned with trips to Stone
Mountain, bowling, putt-putt golf, rock climbing, hiking and cookout at Red Top
Mountain just to name a few. Check in at the CAC.
A
few spaces are still available in the following camps. Stop by the
Recreation Department or call at 770-971-5280 for more information.
HOOPS
CAMPS (Monday - Thursday)
I
June 28 - July 1,
9:00-12:00, Co-ed rising 1st/2nd Grades
II
June 28 - July 1,
1:30-4:30, Boys rising 3rd/4th Grades
III
July 12 - 15,
9:00-12:00, Boys rising 5th - 8th Grades
IV
July 12 - 15,
1:30-4:30, Girls rising 3rd - 8th Grades
Four-day
camp focusing on fundamentals of the game - shooting, passing, dribbling and
defense lead by our own Roger Kaiser (2-time All American for Ga. Tech, won
three national championships as coach) and Mt. Bethel Christian Academy coaches
Greg Hall, Melissa Sneed, Adam Sheffield and Brian Bergius.
VOLLEYBALL
CAMPS
I
July 26 - 28,
9:00 - 12:00 (Monday - Wednesday)Girls rising 4th - 5th
II
July 26 - 28,
1:00 - 4:00 (Monday - Wednesday)Girls rising 6th - 8th
This
3-day camp lead by Mt. Bethel Christian Academy volleyball coaches Melissa
Sneed and Brian Bergius will focus on the rules and fundamentals of volleyball
while incorporating game play situations.
Fitness
Boot Camp, Zumba, Body Sculpting,
Pilates, Yoga - Summer Fitness Series II
begins June 21. Go to
mtbethel.org/fitness for complete schedule and pricing. Babysitting
available. Call Caroline Booker at 770-971-5280 for additional information.
Missions Ministry
West Virginia - Thank
You, Mt. Bethel! There will be teams from Mt. Bethel serving the needs
of the severely poor in this Appalachia region of our own country. If you would
consider participating, contact Larry Armstrong for more details. Please pack your items in travel-ready boxes with the contents marked
outside the box. And please be sure to put them inside the trailer and not
outside the trailer on the parking lot. Do you know someone moving or having a
garage sale? Ask them to consider donating items they no longer use which might
be useful to, or brighten up the day of someone much less fortunate than we
are.
Prayer
Ministry"Voices
United"- Join us on Thursday nights at 7:00 in B106 as we pray for every
facet of the Church.
Aloha to Aging
Ask
the Aging Expert: Join us Tuesday, June 22, from 1:00-2:00pm as we
learn about "Assisted Living Care - What are the levels of care and
how to pay for it." Program speaker, Derin White of Savannah Court
Assisted Living, will share her knowledge in assisted living care options.
Program held at Mt. Bethel Community Center, 4608 Lower Roswell Road, and is
open to the community.
Our Faithfulness
Offerings Received last week -- $104,207
Offerings Received this fiscal year -- $7,664,178
Fiscal year July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010
Offerings Needed to Date - $7,256,395
Weekend Minister on Call -- 770-354-5433 |
Our Joys & Concerns
The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Lauren Cooper and AG Pulliam, given by Polly, Alan & Flavia Pulliam and Nancy & Jack Cooper.
The rosebud on the altar is in honor of the birth of Carson James Clark, son of Taylor & Portia Clark and grandson of David & Mary Clark, on June 10, 2010.
The Paschal Candle burns in honor of the baptisms of Alexandra Grace King, daughter of Kris & Kelly King; and Austin Reid Wiley, son of Travis & Rachel Wiley.
We extend Christian sympathy to Bill & Anne Lummus and Brandon, Georgia, Spencer, Walker & Ava Underwood and Jackie Barber in the loss of Bill's mother, Evelyn J. Lummus; and to Tony & Susie Rogers, Andy, Kristen, Alexis & Claire Rogers, Tim, Elizabeth & Maggie Rogers; and Sam, Haley & Avery Rogers in the loss of Tony's father, Bill Rogers. May God hold you in the palm of His hand during this time of grief.
We wish to congratulate Caroline Lively & John Hill O'Neal who were married in our Sanctuary on June 12, 2010 by Dr. Randy Mickler.
Recently hospitalized: Mary Henderson, Melanie Stolz.
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Where the Action Is 
Sunday, June
20
8:00-10:00am
Fellowship Breakfast - Fellowship Hall
8:15am
Worship Service - Chapel
9:30am
Sunday School
9:30am
Worship Service - Sanctuary
9:30am
God's Garden - A35
11:00am
Worship Service - Sanctuary
11:00am
Sunday School
11:00am
Camp S.P.L.A.T. - for K-5th Graders - F011 & F015
11:00am
God's Garden - A35
7:00pm
Austria Mission Team - B116
8:30pm
Men's Basketball - Gym
Monday,
June 21
8:00am-5:30pm
Sports Camp II - CAC
9:00am
Friends in Faith AM Circle Sandwich Project for MUST - Dining Room
10:00am
Parables of Jesus Bible Study - F026
10:00am-3:00pm
Camp Hollywood - F Building Basement
10:00am-1:30pm
- Preschool Summer Camp
Tuesday,
June 22
8:00am-5:30pm
Sports Camp II - CAC
9:00am
Membership Committee - B112
10:00am-1:30pm
- Preschool Summer Camp
10:00am-3:00pm
Camp Hollywood - F Building Basement
10:30am
Knitting Angels - B109
6:30pm
Career Ministry Resume Review & Networking - Community Center
7:00pm
Bible Study Encouragement Group - B116
7:00pm
Grief Support Group - B106
7:30pm
Career Ministry Program - Community Center
Wednesday,
June 23
8:00am-5:30pm
Sports Camp II - CAC
10:00am
Parables of Jesus Bible Study - F026
10:00am-1:30pm
- Preschool Summer Camp
10:00am-3:00pm
Camp Hollywood - F Building Basement
11:30am
Bulletin Committee - B116
6:30pm
Pastor's Bible Study - B118
6:30pm
Divorce Recovery Support Group - Frankie's Italian Restaurant
6:30pm
Summer Choir Rehearsal - A18
Thursday,
June 24
8:00am-5:30pm
Sports Camp II - CAC
9:30am
Quilting for Christ - F001
10:00am-1:30pm
- Preschool Summer Camp
10:00am-3:00pm
Camp Hollywood - F Building Basement
5:00pm
Whitaker/Smith Wedding Rehearsal - Sanctuary
7:00pm
Prayer Ministry - B106
7:00pm
Pursuit College Worship - Upper Room
Friday,
June 25
6:15am
Friday's Faithful - B112
7:00am
Charlie Oates Men's Bible Study - Community Center
7:30am
Rock Eagle Men's Group - B106
8:00am-5:30pm
Sports Camp II - CAC
9:45am
Consignment Sale Committee - B109
10:00am-1:30pm
- Preschool Summer Camp
10:00am
Photo Collage Workshop - Community Center
10:00am-3:00pm
Camp Hollywood - F Building Basement
4:30pm
Whitaker/Smith Wedding - Sanctuary
Saturday,
June 26
9:30am
New Member Class - B116
10:00am
Alcoholics Anonymous - Community Center
1:00pm
Photo Collage Workshop - Community Center
6:30pm
Father/Daughter Luau Dance - Fellowship Hall
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