Thank you so much for your generous gift to purchase our sterilizer and printer/copier! We are humbled by your support for God's work through the clinic. The items we can obtain because of your gift will help reduce costs, but also help us add additional services. The sterilizer helps us reuse metal instruments to screen for cancer. The printer/copier will allow us to save 30 cents per copy and make patient education simpler. These items are vital to our ministry. The health care we provide allows us to talk about the Gospel. In the last month four people have come to Christ! This is your work too because of volunteers from Bethany and your generous gifts. We are grateful for your blessing and we pray that God will doubly bless you.

In Christ,

Rev. David Engle, Hope Community Health Center

Last month in this space I mentioned Gordon MacDonald's latest book called Who Stole My Church? What to do when the church you love tries to enter the 21st Century. On the first page of the Introduction I thought MacDonald had been reading my email. I thought he had been sitting in our Worship Center and secretly attending our board meetings. He describes a church just like ours in the throes of wrestling with change and trying to build on a significant past in order to have an effective future. It was both heartbreaking and encouraging for me to hear him describe other churches struggling to make the jump into the 21st Century: heartbreaking because the pain is so real, encouraging because we aren't alone in this. I've sometimes thought we are an ordinary church with unique problems. But I have concluded that we are a unique church with ordinary problems. The challenges of change are being faced by churches everywhere. And the older, more established, more successful a church is, the harder the process of change becomes.

I came away from MacDonald's book encouraged, not discouraged! As I've mulled over what encouraged me I boiled it down to three specifics:

First, we are not alone. What we are facing as a 30 year old church, lots of other churches (some younger, many much older) are also facing. Our challenges aren't unique or weird. They are typical.

Second, I have renewed hope for our church. I don't think God is finished with us. I don't think he is done using the people and ministries of Bethany to have an eternal influence in this community. Whatever was accomplished in the past happened because willing people allowed the Holy Spirit to do new things in new ways that changed lives. I know the Holy Spirit is still willing. And I believe we are too.

Third, the root of being encouraged is having courage. Being unafraid. Not paralyzed by fears or doubts. Not caring what people say as much as we care what God says. In every culture and in every generation, God has raised up people and churches who had the courage to follow him into an uncertain and changing future. And they always found him faithful. Let's be those people and that church at this moment in history.

I invite you to read my full summary of MacDonald's book and some very specific next steps I envision for Bethany. Click here for the rest of the story.

On Monday, April 14 Matthew and Mya Arneson lost their baby to a stillbirth. Please pray for this family (including long time Bethany members and grandparents Jim & Zane Arneson as well as grandparents Manny & Teri Mello) as they grieve the loss of their little loved one.

Who do you know? Who Have You Seen God Use?

Bethany's Elder Nominating Committee is seeking godly leaders for the position of Elder and we need your help.

We are looking for individuals who are already functioning as leaders in our church. These leaders should have the qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

Nomination forms are available in the Information Center on Sundays and in the church office during the week. After completing the form, you may drop it off in the Information Center, place in the offering bags or boxes on Sunday mornings, or mail to the church office at 6240 S. Price Road, Tempe, AZ 85283 c/o Fran Carey. Nomination forms must be received by June 1.

We appreciate your help!

The Elder Nominating Committee

One of Bethany's very own young adults is moving to Mafikeng, South Africa for a year to use her gifts and music therapy degree to minister to children who have been impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Our International Partner Marisa Covert, will be working closely with Helping Hands in Africa. She will mainly be working in Top Village, which is the first village that Helping Hands began working in. She will spend at least one morning a week in the pre-school, using music to foster developmental skills, including foundational skills for expressing emotion. She will spend afternoons at the Learning Center where she will facilitate Grief Care Groups for the elementary school age children, as well as for the adolescents. These groups will focus on the creative arts, and will help children begin to express and work through their grief using music, art, dance etc. These groups will also build community between the children and help them learn how to support each other and learn that God truly cares for them. Marisa will begin her work in South Africa on May 10.

MSM Creation Weekend

In March, MSM took two vans full of middle schoolers to southern California for an amazing trip! We spent time in Laguna Beach and Laguna Niguel slowing down to appreciate God's creation. The students saw God's creation up-close at the beach and on hiking trails while studying the first chapter of Genesis over three sessions. The highlight of the trip for many was spending time in solitude, allowing God to speak to us as we silently watched His glorious sunset over on the Pacific Ocean. MSM is looking forward to another similar Creation Weekend trip in the future.

MSM Celebrates 8th Graders: Wednesday, May 7, 6:30-8pm

Though we are sad to see them go, MSM's 8th graders will soon be moving up to HSM. To celebrate their "awesomeness", MSM is hosting a special celebration dessert party for all middle schoolers and families of 8th graders. Please RSVP to Kathy Feruglio at kferuglio@bethanycc.com.

MSM Is Going to Rock Out: Thursday, May 15

What is:

With the temperatures climbing to almost 100 degrees and the AC units running, we know May is really here, as unbelievable as that sounds. It is a month to rev up and slow down. It is kind of like driving with your foot on the brake while the accelerator pedal is pushed to the floor. The end of the school year brings finals, plays, projects, banquets, graduations and a variety of other calendar fillers. All of these activities mean summer is just around the corner and with it, will come vacation plans, pool parties, BBQ's, and more.

What was:

Women's ministry is on a similar track of winding down and gearing up. Here are just a few things ending for the summer.

• Tuesday, May 6 - MOPS will meet for a "Just for Moms" brunch at Crackers.
• GROW celebrated their diligent study of Hebrews through feasting and frivolity Wednesday Evening, April 30.
• Wednesday AM women's Bible study group who have been faithful in handling God's word during their journey through 1&2 Kings will end. The midmorning group that has been discovering the truth that they have amazing freedom in Christ takes a summer break as well. Way to go ladies you did it!!!
• Wednesday night Precepts women have wrapped up Revelation. Well done good and faithful servants.
• Thursday morning, May 1 - GROW will spend a day at The Farm recalling the message from Hebrews that "Christ is superior" while enjoying the reality that being together is "pretty darn" good.

What is to come:

The finish of one lap readies us for lap two and new opportunities to stay connected over the summer.

• May launches a 4-week Precepts study of the book of Ruth.
• June will begin a Beth Moore video series, accompanied by small group discussion.
• July you can be sure will hold a couple of surprise events to keep us laughing.
• August will get us ready to head into the fall with the annual women's ministry kickoff.  

Finish strong, take a breather and then come join us for a summer to remember, as we stay connected with one another and Jesus who connects all things.

--Robyn Dahl

Do you know where those strengths can best be used in the body of Christ?

Then the new online Assess Me tool is for you!

Crown Financial Groups

Orientation Sunday May 18. Classes begin the week of June 1.

This program will give you the tools to help you experience a closer fellowship with Christ and learn how to find financial peace. Crown Small Group Financial Study is an in-depth, 10-week Bible study about biblical financial principles. Topics include earning, spending, saving, investing, getting out of debt, and teaching children about money.

Did you know that within 3 years of taking the Crown Study most families:

• Reduce their debt by $20,000
• Increase their savings by $10,000
• Increase giving by 40%
• Increase time spent in the Word, prayer, and serving in the church

Please contact Pam Carter at 480.844.3997 or Barney Miller at 480.813.6887. Attending an orientation is required for those planning to join a small group. The meeting will be May 18 at 12:30pm in D5. If you would like more information about a Crown Small Group Financial Study, call Linda Whipple at 480.831.5005 or email at lwhipple@bethanycc.com.

New Beginnings Small Group

Are you new to Bethany? Perhaps you have been attending here awhile and are just not finding your place? Would you like to take the next step in connecting with Christ and others? New Beginnings is a 10-week small group designed to give individuals an initial taste of a Christ like lifestyle, to present a solid biblical view for a relationship with Jesus and teach the magnificent promises God has provided for victorious Christian living. Small groups are continually forming. To sign up for an upcoming group or for more information contact Mary Beth Cochran at 480.831.5005 or mbcochran@bethanycc.com.

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