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.
Poinsettias will decorate the Sanctuary during Advent. If you would like to order one in honor or in memory of someone, please complete the form in the bulletin & place in the offering plate or return to the Church Office with your check payable to Mt. Bethel marked "Poinsettias" on the for line. You may also order at www.mtbethel.org. The poinsettias may be taken home on Sunday, December 11 or 18. Please print clearly. Deadline to order is Monday, December 12.
Live Nativity - Wednesday, December 14, from 6:00-7:30pm. Families are invited to participate as the characters who stand in the stable as we present the Christmas story that changed the world. We will have 4 rotations(6:00, 6:20, 6:40 and 7:00) with at least 3 families in each rotation beginning at 6:00pm. Please call Dianne Hylton to sign up at 770-971-5074 or e-mail dianne.hylton@mtbethel.org.
Christmas Eve Worship Services | Saturday, December 24* | 3pm | 5pm (traditional & Encounter) | 8pm | 11pm - *Nursery is available for the 3 & 5pm worship services only.
Sunday, December 25 - There will be just one worship service at 11am. No Sunday School or breakfast. Child care for infants through four-year-olds. No shuttle service.
Sunday, January 1 - There will be just one worship service at 11am, led by our college students & youth adults. No Sunday School or breakfast. No shuttle service. Nursery and God's Garden for the little ones.
Families within our own congregation and community are suffering in these tough economic days. The Mike Sappington Helping Hand Fund assists them in the name of Jesus Christ, with financial aid. Gift cards are available in the Bookstore for any amount to be given in honor or memory of loved ones. May Compassion into Action begin with our own Mt. Bethel family this Christmas!
The Mt. Bethel UMC Adult and High School Handbell choirs and Orchestra will present a concert of Christmas music tonight, Wednesday, December 7, at 6:30 in our Sanctuary. Everyone is invited!
The Mike Sappington Helping Hand Fund gives to our fellow church members and community in need without the awkward part. It's making a difference without making a big deal about it. Cards can be purchased in the Bookstore for any amount and presented as gifts this season. Why not give to those right at home this year?
MUST Christmas Toy Drive - Bring joy this Christmas by donating new games, new dolls and other new toys. Drop off your unwrapped new toy in the main Church Office or the Preschool - by December 21. For more information contact Christie DeDona at dcrdedona@gmail.com - sponsored by the Discovery Sunday School Class.
ACSS (Samaritan House) Christmas Gift Donations - This the 7th year that Mt. Bethel has helped sponsor the ACSS Christmas Party to be held on December 16. A gift bag is given to each of our homeless guests, in addition to the great Christmas dinner that they enjoy. The need for donations for the gift bags is especially acute this year. Would you please consider donating any of the following items for men:
Gloves (heavy duty, insulated type work gloves - mostly large, some medium); Socks ( white, stretch-type for various sizes; Underwear shorts (briefs or boxers - mostly large 36-38 and a few 40-42; T-Shirts (mostly XL, some large and a few, XXL; Caps (knit, fits any size); Toiletry items (toothpaste, chapstick, deodorant, and bar soap). Note: ACSS also has homeless lady clients as well: similar lady undergarments and/or cold weather items (hats, gloves & scarves) for them will also be appreciated. Place your gift donations (unwrapped, please) in the ACSS Christmas box located at Mt. Bethel receptionist's desk, through Monday, December 12.
Would you like to visit the homeless under the bridges in Atlanta? On Tuesday night, December 20, meet at the church at 4:00. We'll grab a burger at US Cafe, tour the Garden and pick up our guides and sack meals to distribute. We will be back at the church around 10:00pm. Please make a reservation for the bus by contacting Ben Hornsby at 678-333-1871 or ben.hornsby@mtbethel.org for more information.
To All Nursery Parents: Although the Christmas Season is busy, please remember to contact the nursery office to make reservations. Please call for events such as Carols for Christmas and the Bell and Orchestra Concerts. Your reservations will help us staff better and provide the best care possible for your child. Call Debbie Ruth at 770-971-2588 or Evelyn Bosher at 678-560-7285 for more information. Please note that the Mt. Bethel Nursery will be closed on Wednesday, December 21 & 28, for both day and evening activities. Thank you!
Mom's Morning Out for children with Special Needs and their siblings, a service of Corrigan Care, Inc., Wednesday, December 14, from 9:30am-12:30pm. 2012 dates to come! Cost: $25 per child. If a child requires a nursing level of care during their morning with us, we will ensure that a nurse is present at no additional cost to you. Who: Children with special needs and their siblings (ages 6 months - 3 years)
Children can attend up to 2 times each week. Space is limited so register your child soon! Room D8 - Mt Bethel UMC Nursery - Corrigan Care will provide a nurturing, loving environment that focuses on the developmental needs of each special needs child enrolled in the program while providing regular opportunities for art, music and play therapies. Parents and caregivers will work closely with the child's current Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to maintain each child's daily routine while upholding their developmental goals. The child's IEP/IFSP goals will be used to craft a personalized care plan to enable each child to thrive. The time that children spend with Corrigan Care will be a fun-filled, learning environment that encompasses therapeutic play while stimulating their desire to learn. To register email Amy Corrigan at amy@corrigancare.org or call 404-434-7893.
Firewood for Sale - Pickup truck load is $100 plus $20 if you want us to deliver it. Can be purchased at the Bookstore. Proceeds go to benefit the Homeless and Men's Ministry. For more information, contact Ben Hornsby at 678-333-1871 or ben.hornsby@mtbethel.org.
M25 + Opening Our Doors (Homeless Ministry)
Cold weather is here! Our M25 + Opening Our Doors (Homeless Ministry) Team is ramping up to welcome our guests from "under the bridges." We've learned a lot since our first time last winter, and want to share a few bullet points as we prepare for the new season.
The 'trigger' will be 25 degrees (F) or below, for a 4-5 hour stretch, unless the roads are too icy for the buses, or some other Mt. Bethel conflict occurs. A "Go--No Go" decision will be made as soon as possible on a given day, and word will go out via OpeningOurDoors.com, e-mail newsletter, and Twitter. Watch the weather forecasts. Our buses can hold about 100 total guests, and we will make a single run downtown with each bus. We will need about 150 volunteers (about 50 to cook and bring food, and about 100 to drive, host, set-up and serve )for the in-bound day, and about 50 volunteers (take-down, clean-up and drive) for the out-bound day.
Openingourdoors.com will be the place to go to volunteer for any and all of the activities associated with the process. It will take a few "clicks," so please be patient-these steps are necessary to keep the process organized and to keep everyone informed as much as possible.
Donation Items: Our clothing and sundries hand-outs will be specifically limited to what we now know as the best combination we can sort, store, distribute and align with the guests needs. We will only distribute men's and women's clothing (tennis shoes, socks, jeans, t-shirts, underwear, sweatshirts/hoodies, coats, gloves, and hats) and sundries/personal hygiene items (travel size shampoo & conditioner, hand/bath soap, deodorant, tooth brushes, and toothpaste).
Currently, we need: tennis shoes, jeans, coats, sweatshirts/hoodies and deodorant, as well as about 20 single/twin size air mattresses and associated sheet sets. Please place donations in the large yellow M25 barrels in front of, or just inside, the CAC (Gym).
You can find further information at openingourdoors.com, or by contacting Randy Hudon, Gaylyn Kelly, Ben Hornsby or Gabe Barrett at the church.
Student Ministry
Life Group Christmas Parties are this Sunday, December 11! Please be in touch with Lauren Eden or your Life Group Leader regarding the location and time of your party.
Christmas Tree sales were a success! Many thanks to those of you who purchased a tree and supported student missions.
Next week's Tuesday Morning Breakfast will be our LAST TMB before the holidays!
Spring 2012 Confirmation Registration is open online. Please register as soon as possible.
DNOW 2012 (February 10-12) registration is open online, and registration will cost $85/student until January 1, when the price jumps to $95. Register now to get the December price!
Spring Break Mission Trip Registration is due on January 22; please pick up a registration form in the Student Ministries Hallway.
Student Ministry Weekly Update
In addition to receiving news through the Church-wide weekly e-blast, you can also subscribe to the Student Ministry Weekly Update. To be added to this email list please send your email address to elise.bernhardt@mtbethel.org.
College Ministry
Weekly happenings:
Sundays - we are studying the book of Ephesians, 9:30am in the CAC
Tuesdays - we meet at Gaylyn Kelly's home (1480 Brookcliff Drive, Marietta) from 7-10pm and are completing our reading and discussion of Isaiah.
Special events:
The 1st & 3rd Friday of each month at THE GARDEN at 6:30 pm, join us to serve, worship and participate in Bible study that we lead.
The 2nd Thursday of the month- SAFEHOUSE- downtown Atlanta, day shelter;
serve over 300 meals, share worship and a message.
UPCOMING:
January 1 is College and Young Adult Ministry Sunday! New Year's Day we get to serve for the one service that day. There will be a coming together of all services at 11am in the Sanctuary. We get to be the ushers, speakers, worship leaders, prayer warriors... all of it. Let me know your interest and availability.
Passion 2012 conference - January 2-5
DNow2012, Feb 10, 11 & 12 - your opportunity to lead students grades 6-12, all weekend long and help them define who Jesus is to them personally.
Questions, or if you are ready to sign up to serve at one of our many
opportunities, please respond by contacting me Gaylyn.kelly@mtbethel.org
Recreation Ministry
Youth Winter Basketball- Pictures begin this Friday, December 9, and continue through next week. Check your schedules for your team's time! A big thank you to all our teams for donating gift cards and coats for those less fortunate children in our area! You will bring a lot of smiles to them this Christmas!
Youth Spring Sports - Registration is underway. Go online or register in the CAC. Football (1st-7th grade) Baseball (ages 4-3rd grade), Softball (K-5th grade), Soccer (ages 4-7th grade), Volleyball (4th-8th grade).
Girls High School Volleyball - Registration begins December 12. Season begins February 13. Sign up today!
Women's Basketball - Registration begins December 12. Must be 19 to play. Season begins in February. Sign up today!
Fitness: Join us for one of our many fitness classes. New - Zumba. Go to www.mtbethel.org/fitness for complete schedule and pricing.
Women's Ministry
The Diane Mickler Circle will meet Monday, December 12, at 10:00am in B116. This will be our Christmas Brunch and food will be provided by circle members. For further details contact Linda Lakshas at 770-579-1862 or lflcshas@comcast.net.
The Dorothy Summerour Circle Christmas Luncheon/Meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 14, at 10:30am at the home of Tina Thomas, 3622 Sope Creek Farm, Marietta, GA 30067. Everyone brings a covered dish, a children's toy for MUST, a gift to exchange and we have lots of Christmas socializing. Visitors are always welcome. If you would like more details, please call Brenda Crawford, 770-971-4273. Merry Christmas, Everyone!
The Lynn Smith Circle is having its Christmas luncheon at the Atlanta County Club on Wednesday, December 14, at 11:30am. This circle is a service-oriented group of women mostly age 50 and over. Light refreshments are provided at the meeting. After our business meeting we usually have a project. However in December we go out to lunch. If you would like more information about our circle, please contact either Barbara Benton 770-973-2449 (h) or Gayle Hollinger 770-953-9633 (h). We would love to have you come to our luncheon and fellowship with our members as a guest.
Women's Retreat - January 27, 28 & 29 - Chattanooga, Tennessee - Registration deadline has been extended so it's not too late to join us for a weekend of spiritual renewal and fellowship!! You can register at www.mtbethel.org/womensretreat or by picking up a brochure in the church racks. If you are interested in giving the retreat as a Christmas gift to a special woman in your life, contact Kris Michaelides @ 678-560-7427.
Career Ministry
The Career Ministry of Mt. Bethel UMC will meet on Tuesday, December 13, at the Mt. Bethel Community Center (4608 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068). Resume Reviews begin at 6:30pm/Presentation at 7:30pm. The topic for the evening will be "Developing your Employment Brand." Your employment brand is a critical component of your job search. In today's competitive job market you must be able to communicate who and what you are and identify the skills and knowledge that you bring to a prospective job. This session focuses on developing your employment brand and integrating it into new and existing job search materials. There will be plenty of exercises and examples to help you understand and implement this critical step. You will leave with a new sales and marketing approach to your search, plus a process and the tools to successfully position yourself to compete.
For more information visit the Mt. Bethel UMC website (www.mtbethel.org/careerministry ) or contact Kibbie Jones at 678-560-7230 /kibbie.jones@mtbethel.org.
Prayer Ministry
"Voices United"- Join us on Thursday nights at 7:00 in B106 as we pray for every facet of the Church. Contact Bette Cardell at bettecardell@gmail.com for information or ministry prayer requests.
Aloha to Aging - Programs located in the Mt. Bethel Community Center, 4608 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA.
Making the Most of the Holidays: For Family Caregivers with Aging Loved Ones: Tuesday, December 13
at 10:30am-12:00pm. With the changing needs of your loved one, it's time to alter your holiday tasks and traditions. Join us as we review the Holiday Checklist and share planning strategies and techniques for a "Meaningful and Happy Holiday" season. RSVP 678-439-1177.
Our Faithfulness
Offerings Received last week -- $208,950
Offerings Received this fiscal year -- $2,998,527
Offering Needed to Date - $3,641,519
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