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Message from the Minister
Navigating Life
Why preach a series of sermons on the 23rd Psalm? Why is it necessary? After all, a child can understand this simple Psalm which, next to the Lord's Prayer, makes up the most loved and most quoted half-dozen verses in all Scripture. To explain it to a congregation of mature Christians would be like teaching the multiplication tables to a class of college students.
The reality is that everyone loves the Psalm because it reassures us about God's nature. The 23rd Psalm is a poem about God's true identity. It is one man's testimony but it testifies to the reality of God in every person's experience. The author, a shepherd, relates to God in the caring of his sheep. The understanding is that God cares for His people in exactly the same way. Just as the shepherd accepts responsibility for each sheep in his charge, so God cares for every person as though He cared for that person alone.
In this day of confusion, anxiety, worry and uncertainty, what could be more needed and appreciated than a powerful reminder of God's loving care? That's why we need to examine this powerful Psalm of reassurance.
The Psalm asks us to consider these questions:
Do I really belong to Him?
Do I really recognize His right to me?
Do I respond to His authority and acknowledge His ownership?
Do I find freedom and complete fulfillment in this arrangement?
Do I sense a purpose and deep contentment because I am under His direction?
Do I know rest and calmness, besides a definite sense of adventure and excitement in belonging to Him?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then we can exclaim with gratitude, just as David did. "The Lord is my Shepherd! And I am thrilled to belong to Him, because in Him, I can flourish and thrive no matter what life may bring me!
Join us each Sunday as we celebrate how this Psalm enables us to Navigate Life.
Randy
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Worship Services This Week 
Chapel Service
8:15am in the Chapel
"Giving Up Control": Rev. Diane Parrish
Psalm 23:1
Sanctuary Service
9:30 & 11:00am in the Sanctuary
"Trusting Assurance" - First in the "Navigating Life" series: Dr. Randy Mickler
Psalm 23:1
Encounter (Contemporary) Service
11:00am in the Fellowship Hall
"Who Are You Following?": Rev. Jody Ray
Psalm 23:1
St. Philip UMC
11:00am at St. Philip UMC
"Who's the Boss?" - First in the "Navigating Life" series: Rev. Jon Ponders
Psalm 23:1
Surf's Up (K-2nd Grade)
11:00am in F015
"Storms Come!"
Psalm 23:1
The P.O.D. (3rd-5th Grade)
11:00am in the Upper Room
"Now That's the Spirit!"
Acts 9:36-43
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.
Beginning Sunday, August 15, we are embarking on a six-week sermon series centering on the 23rd Psalm. All of the sermons in all of the worship services will be preaching this series. If you are interested for personal or groups study, a new study guide, written by our own Rev. Diane Parrish, is now available in the Bookstore entitled, "Navigating Life - The 23rd Psalm" for $10.00. All proceeds will go to Camp Hope
Mt. Bethel's Cub Scout Pack 121 is having a parent information and registration meeting on Sunday, August 22, at 3:00pm in the Scout Hut. Cub Scouting is open to all boys entering the 1st-4th grade. For more info, parents can visit their website or contact the cub master, Todd Pinniger - 770-579-9065.
Youth Fall Sports - Registration deadline has passed but there are still a few spaces left. Call the Recreation Department at 770-971-5280 for availability.
Third Grade Bible Presentation will be on Sunday August 15 in both Traditional
Services at 9:30 and 11:00 and also in Encounter Service at 11:00. Reception and name plates will follow each service in the lobby of the
Education Building. Third Graders are invited to join us for a special night on Friday, August 20th in the
Fellowship Hall from 6:00-9:00 pm as we "Unlock the Mystery of the Bible."
The
night will begin with pizza and an adventure that will take the children
through the different libraries of books contained between the covers of their
new Bibles. The night will close with a treasure seeker sundae as
children are sent out on the adventure of a life time in their new treasure
book, the Bible! Registration is available online. Cost is $10.
The New Member Class is a short, informal gathering designed to help you get connected. This introduction to Mt. Bethel will clearly explain who & what our church is. We have several classes scheduled for the year: Saturdays, August 21, September 25 & November 13 (you don't have to attend all of these, just one). The class is from 9:00-11:00 in the Small Dining Room. Childcare is available. For more information or to register, contact Krista Downing - 678-560-7226.
Our Wednesday Fellowship Dinners have resumed. Please join us for a great meal & fellowship on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:45pm in the Fellowship Hall. There are programs for both children, youth & adults on Wednesday nights. You can find more information on our website.
Library
- Volunteers are needed for our new book rooms. Please
consider volunteering to serve in this area. Volunteers are needed on Mondays
and Wednesdays between 3:00 and 6:00pm each week. Adult fiction and nonfiction
are located in rooms B116 & B118 and the Children and Youth section is
located in the entrance area to the Children's Education offices. Please
contact Kibbie Jones - 678-560-7230 or Camille Auci - 678-398-9696.
Mt.
Bethel's Library will be doing an inventory. Please return any books or
DVD's you have so that everything can be cataloged.
The
annual Children's Consignment Sale is August 27 & 28. Make plans now
to volunteer and/or shop the sale.
Ushers
are needed in all of our worship services. Prayerfully consider becoming
involved in our worship services by serving in this manners. Ushers serve for a
month at a time quarterly, and are needed at 9:30 and 11:00. Contact Kibbie Jones - 678-560-7230 to volunteer or if you have
any questions.
Mt.
Bethel volunteers lead a Bible Study on a weekly basis at Parc at Piedmont
Assisted Living. We
currently need to add an additional member to this team. This would be a
monthly commitment. Contact Kibbie Jones - 678-560-7230 to volunteer or if you have any questions.
Pictorial
Directory -
Do you ever see people & wonder what their names are? Have you ever heard
an announcement regarding a member & wished you could put a face with a
name? Are you a new member & wish you had something to help you put names
with faces? We are producing a pictorial family album! There is no cost
to have your photographs taken, and you will receive a free 8x10 portrait &
directory for participating. You will be able to view your images
electronically immediately after photography. At that time, you will have the
opportunity to purchase additional portraits to share with family &
friends. Photography has started. Visit our website to
schedule your appointment, visit the sign-up table on Sunday mornings or call
Krista Downing at 678-560-7226. We look forward to seeing you!
"Diane
and Friends" - Sunday, September 26, at 6:30pm in
Mt. Bethel's Sanctuary - the Concert will be a play featuring friends
from past concerts, including Lee Herring and Charlie Marus from Mt. Bethel,
Thom & Nicole Gray from Due West UMC, and Tom & Mylinda Milley from
Marietta FUMC. Come see the Camp Hope story like you've never heard it before!
Fun for the whole family. No tickets necessary, a love offering will be taken.
Habitat for Humanity
Construction
of Mt. Bethel's 28th & 29th Habitat Homes begins Tuesday, September
7.
Volunteers are needed to build the homes - no experience required. Work
days are Tuesday, September 7 through Saturday, September 11; Saturday,
September 18; Monday, October 4 through Saturday, October 9; Saturday,
October 16; Saturday, October 30 (dedication). Volunteers can sign up at the
Habitat table on Sunday mornings in September or at mtbethel.org/habitat.
Our
Habitat build starts September 7-11, 18 and October 4-9, 16 & 30. Who
will feed the Habitat volunteers? Perhaps your business, small group,
Bible study or Sunday school class? Each of those days there are from 15-30
volunteers we need to feed well so they can do the work we are called to do. So
if you don't think you can't paint or hold a hammer, you can be a
part of this incredible mission by serving those who can. Please call Sue Stone
at 770-977-3273 to sign up for your date.
Children's
Ministry
Children's
Sunday School and Worship Programs will begin on Sunday, August 15. This is
a great time to re-register your child for Sunday mornings at mtbethel.org/sunday. Sunday School classes, Catechesis (9:30 and 11:00),
Born To Believe(11:00 only) will begin at 9:30 for our elementary children and
at 11:00 our Children's Worship services return with Surf's Up (Kindergarten-2nd
grade) in F015 and The P.O.D. Place of Discipleship for 3rd-5th grade in the
Upper Room. Preschool Sunday School for 2-4 year olds is available at
both 9:30 and 11:00 and God's Garden is held during both worship services
in the Sanctuary following Moments with the Minister.
S.P.L.A.T.
U, "your source for higher education", is back! Join us
on Wednesday nights through September 29 for the 6-week study, "My
Shepherd Rocks"! Kids will take a journey with the 23rd Psalm through the
eyes of the Shepherd. Elementary children Kindergarten-5th Grade will meet in
F015 and preschool children ages 3 & 4 will meet in F001. Registration is
online.
If
you did not receive a letter in the mail with a Sunday School registration form
for your 2-year-old (must be 2 before 9/1/10), please call
770-971-0668 or email Janis Caverlee. New classes
begin August 15.
Life
Groups are a great way for our upper elementary students to learn how to live
their faith and grow in discipleship. Life groups are forming now for
our 4th/5th grade girls God's G.I.R.LS. (Growing Identity in our
Righteous Loving Savior) and 4th/5th grade boys - Fishers of Men. Life
Groups for our 4th and 5th grade students meet at 6:30 pm in the Education
Building on Wednesday nights. Contact Sherri Juliani for
more information.
Student
Ministry
MS
DAYone | August 15 | 9:15-10:45am |Upper
RoomOur
middle school worship service is packed with crazy games, fun skits, engaging
worship and relevant messages. Come join us every Sunday morning as we dig into
the book of Matthew and see how God's Word applies to our lives.
HS
Sunday School | August 15 | 9:30am | F011Attention
all high school students! Join us on Sunday mornings for fun,
fellowship, Bible lessons and the occasional breakfast! MS
Tuesday Morning Breakfast | August 17 | 7:30am | CAC |Cost: $3TMB
is our Middle School outreach program on Tuesday mornings. Come join us for fun
games in the CAC, a devotion, and an amazing breakfast before school. We'll
provide breakfast and transportation to school for $3. Student
Life Groups - Our small group environment, where students are paired with 6-8 other students
and two caring adult leaders to do life together! Middle School Life
Groups meet on campus on Sunday nights from 5-6pm. High School Life
Groups meet on campus either on Sunday nights from 8-9pm or on Wednesday nights
from 6-7pm. To sign up for a Life Group, visit mtbethel.org/lifegroups. Groups
begin in September. Registration continues through August.
Women's Ministry
The
Friends in Faith P.M. Circle will meet on Monday, August 16, at 6:30pm at
the home of Sandra Skinner for a covered-dish dinner and planning meeting for
the coming year. Please plan to bring your favorite dish along with your ideas
for future meetings. If you are looking for a night circle, please consider our
group. We would love to have you join us! For directions/information,
please contact Sandra Skinner at 770-552-2660.
Beth
Moore Live Simulcast/ Saturday, September 19 from 9am-5pm in the Sanctuary.
Tickets available online or in the Mt. Bethel Bookstore. Living Proof Live
Simulcast brings beloved teacher, Beth Moore, and worship leader, Travis
Cottrell, via simulcast from the windy city of Chicago directly to the community
of Mt. Bethel. Enjoy the perfect mix of Biblically sound teaching and
worship from the comfort of our church. New ticket price of $15 in the
Mt. Bethel Bookstore or by registering on line at
mtbethel.org/bethmoore. A box lunch is available for $5 on a pre-sale
basis only (chicken salad croissant, chips, apple, cookie). Deadline for
lunch sales is Wednesday, September 15. Purchase online or in the
Mt. Bethel Bookstore.
Recreation
Ministry
Coaches
Meetings - Tuesday, August 24. For all head and assistant coaches in
the Olympia Room of the CAC.
5:30
- Volleyball & Flag Football
6:30
- Soccer
7:30
- Baseball, Softball, T-Ball
Team
Coordinator Meeting - Wednesday, August 25 in the Olympia Room of the
CAC.
Youth
Fall Sports - Practices begin August 26 - August 28. Players will be notified by their coaches beginning Tuesday, August 24.
Coaches
Clinics- Head coaches and assistant coaches, please come to one of the following free
clinics and learn to teach your players the proper techniques and skills needed
for a successful season.
Volleyball:
Tuesday, August 24 from 6:15-7:15 (after the coaches meeting) at Mt. Bethel in the CAC.
Baseball/Softball/T-Ball:
Saturday, August 28 from 8:15am - 10:00am at Sports-A-Rama presented by Sports-A-Rama.
Soccer:
Saturday, August 28 -
Leagues A, B, C, D, R, S (Pre-K - 3rd grade) from 8:30am - 9:30am; Leagues E
& F (4th - 6th grade) from 9:30am - 10:30am at Mt. Bethel Fields of Dreams
presented by the Atlanta Silverbacks organization. (If rain, it will be in the
Gym).
For
more information contact Pam Skelton - 678-560-7429.
New
CAC Hours of Operation - CAC will be open Monday - Friday 7:30am - 8:30pm;
Saturday 8:30am - 4:00pm; Sunday CLOSED.
Friday,
August 13 - the
CAC will close at 4:00 due the MBCA Screen on the Green.
Fitness
Boot
Camp, Zumba, Body Sculpting, Yoga and Pilates classes - Fall fitness series - It's never too
late to join one of our many classes. Go to mtbethel.org/fitness for
complete schedule and pricing or call Caroline Booker at 770-971-5280 for more
information. Babysitting available for some classes.
Prayer
Ministry"Voices
United"- Join us on Thursday nights at 7:00 in B106 as we pray for every
facet of the Church.
Missions Ministry
Samaritan
House
- We are collecting men and women's dress clothes, i.e. suits, dresses,
sport coats, slacks, dress shirts, blouses (please use hangers), ties, shoes
and belts to wear on job interviews. Casual clothes, men's leather dress
shoes and new underwear & socks are also needed. Winter jackets, gloves and
hats are needed. Drop items off at the Missions trailer to the left of the CAC.
Tax receipts are available in the front desk of the CAC. For more information,
please contact Sam Smith at 770-565-8233.
Aloha to Aging
Aloha
Day Club
is an exciting 3.5 hour programfor those individuals 55+years of age
and older who have stopped driving and are in need of socialization outside of
the home in a safe and nurturing setting. Our weekday program incorporates
exercises designed for older adults, music and stimulating games, lunch and
discussions into each session. We meet Monday, Wednesdays & Thursdays from
10:30pm - 2:00pm. For more information visit us online or call Aloha
To Aging, Inc at 678-439-1177.
Our Faithfulness
Offerings Received last week -- $143,213
Offerings Received this fiscal year -- $619,034
Fiscal year July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011
Offerings Needed to Date - $937,961
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Our Joys & Concerns
The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God; in loving memory of Mindy Lea Shelton, given by David, Diana & Missy; and in celebration of the marriage of Whitney Seay & David Haas on August 14, 2010, given by Carol Seay.
The rosebud on the altar is in honor of the birth of Robert Thomas Braswell, son of Patrick & Leigh Braswell and grandson of Tom & Paula Braswell, on August 9, 2010.
The Paschal Candle burns in honor of the baptisms of Ellamay Claire Ulman and Keller Patrick Ulman, daughter & son of Patrick & Merri Ulman.
We extend Christian sympathy to Ken, Julie, Ben, Elizabeth & Ethan Orrell in the loss of Ken's father, Kenneth Orrell, Sr.; and to Diane Adams in the loss of her mother, Margaret Dessauer. May God hold you in the palm of His hand during this time of grief.
Recently hospitalized: Mary Henderson.
Congratulations to Adam Bradley who recently graduated from Troy University.
Kyle Hudon has been ranked #10 in the nation in 1-meter diving. He achieved All-American status at the AAU National Championship. Congratulations Kyle - way to go!
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Where the Action Is 
Sunday,
August 15
8:00-10:00am
Fellowship Breakfast - Fellowship Hall
8:15am
Chapel Worship Service
9:30am
Sunday School
9:30am
Worship Service - Sanctuary
9:30am
God's Garden - A35
11:00am
Worship Service - Sanctuary
11:00am
Surf's Up Children's Worship Service for K-2nd Grade - F011/15
11:00am
The P.O.D. Children's Worship Service for 3rd-5th Grade - Upper Room
11:00am
Sunday School
11:00am
God's Garden - A35
12:15pm
Acolyte Training - Sanctuary
12:15pm
Lunch for Bible Study Leaders - Community Center
1:00-5:00pm
Fall Sports - "Fields of Dreams"
2:00pm
Eagle Scout Ceremony (Haltom) - Chapel
3:00pm
Middle School Handbells - A25
4:00pm
Crossfire Choir - A18
4:00pm
High School Handbells - A25
5:00pm
Student Ministries Life Groups
5:00pm
Living Waters Bible Study - F015
5:00pm
One A-Chord Choir - A18
6:00pm
High School & Middle School Collision - Fellowship Hall & Gym
8:30pm
Men's Basketball - Gym
Monday,
August 16
9:30am
Friends in Faith AM Circle - B116
5:00-10:00pm
Fall Sports - "Fields of Dreams"
7:00pm
Twilight Twirlers - D14/15
7:30pm
Boy Scout Troop 1011 - Scout Meeting Hall
Tuesday,
August 17
7:30am
Middle School Breakfast - Gym
9:00am
Membership Committee - B112
9:15am
MBCA Middle School Chapel
9:30am
Beth Moore Bible Study - H House
9:30am
Preschool Parents Club - B106
9:30am
Mother's Morning Out - D Hall
10:30am
Knitting Angels - B109
5:00-10:00pm
Fall Sports - "Fields of Dreams"
6:00pm
Missions Committee - F011
Wednesday,
August 18
9:30am
Bible Study - H House
9:30am
Living Waters - Sanctuary
11:30am
Bulletin Committee - B116
1:00pm
Bridge Group - Community Center East
4:30-6:45pm
Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner - Fellowship Hall
4:30pm
iPraise & weePraise - A18, F011
5:00-10:00pm
Fall Sports - "Fields of Dreams"
5:30pm
iPraise Handbells & Chimes - A24
6:00pm
SPLAT U Children's Program - F Basement
6:30pm
Divorce Recovery Support Group - H House
7:00pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal - A18
7:00pm
Inside Out Student Ministries - Upper B Hall
7:00pm
Orchestra Rehearsal - Sanctuary
Thursday,
August 19
9:30am
Autism Support Group - B116
9:30am
MBCA Parent Council Lower School Meeting - Dining Room
9:30am
Mother's Morning Out - D Hall
9:30am
Quilting for Christ - F001
5:00-10:00pm
Fall Sports - "Fields of Dreams"
6:30pm
MBCA Middle School Scoop Night - F Building
7:00pm
CERT District II - B118
7:00pm
Prayer Ministry - B106
Friday,
August 20
6:15am
Friday's Faithful - B112
7:00am
Charlie Oates Men's Bible Study - Community Center
7:30am
Rock Eagle Men's Group - B106
9:30am
Mother's Morning Out - D Hall
4:30pm
Academy Alumni Gathering - Thompson Pavilion
5:00-10:00pm
Fall Sports - "Fields of Dreams"
6:00pm
"Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible" Third Grade Bible Event -
Fellowship Hall
Saturday,
August 21
8:00am-8:00pm
Fall Sports - "Fields of Dreams"
9:00am
New Member Class - Dining Room
10:00am
Alcoholics Anonymous - Community Center
7:00pm
Walk to Emmaus Informational Dinner & Program - Community Center
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