Bethany Community Church ENews

Matthew 25 Sunday: September 14
Neighborhood Ministries
This year the nationally renowned Neighborhood Ministries celebrated its 25th anniversary of "being the presence of Jesus Christ to distressed families of inner city Phoenix through holistic ministry". Currently Neighborhood Ministries serves 500-600 families. Interwoven into their program philosophy they offer opportunities for promoting personal responsibility by recruiting adult volunteers from among those served.

Neighborhood Ministries Moms

This parent volunteer program is unique in many ways. One of the most successful components has been their Christmas Store. Approximately 125 parents volunteer in one or more of each area of ministry at Neighborhood Ministries (NM): assisting in the Head Start program, volunteering in the medical and dental clinic, maintaining the buildings, providing childcare for each other, working in the food and clothing banks, tutoring school-age children, working in the Barrio Bike Shop, and general upkeep of NM's eight-acre campus. For their efforts NM "pays" them $7 an hour in "Christmas Neighborhood Ministries Kids

Bucks". This year on December 7, these folks will bring their "Christmas Bucks" to the store to buy brand-new gifts for their families. Since these wonderful people hardly ever get anything new, this store has added dignity to a season that can be very humiliating for parents. Please help NM stock their Christmas Store by donating one or more of the gift suggestions below.

Bethany folks will have an opportunity to contribute items for one of the favorite gifts the parent volunteers can purchase with their Christmas Bucks.

If you would like to contribute one or items from this list, bring them on Sunday, September 14.

Babies & infants: no tear shampoo, detangle spray, comb, brush, children's toothpaste/toothbrush, band aids, lotion, diaper rash ointment, q-tips, Sippee cups, pacifier, disposable diapers, wipes, etc.
Young girl: Brush, comb, hair accessories, purse, Hannah Montana stuff, hair bands, jewelry, barrettes
Young boy: Lego set, bike lock, markers, anything Spiderman, anything Sponge Bob, comics, CD's
Teen girl: hair straightener, shampoo, conditioner, gel, perfume, hair spray, lotion, nail polish, file, small purse, dryer, curling iron, claw clips
Teen boy: Axe products, bike lock, cologne, calculator, gum, headphones, Jack-in-the-Box gift card
Mom: lotion, shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, nail polish, file, hair dryer, perfume, plastic hangers, alarm clock , makeup
Dad: car wash supplies, cologne, deodorant, after shave, disposable razors, comb, chamois, warm socks, work gloves

Stop by the table on Sunday, September 14 to find out how you can get personally involved in this ministry. For more information contact Robyn Dahl at rdahl@bethanycc.com or Peggy Levesque at plevesque@bethanycc.com.

Save the Date - Save a Life
Matthew 25 Sunday: October 12

Mark your calendar and prepare to serve by giving blood. The blood drive will be held at Bethany from 8:30am-1pm If you donate blood regularly, remember the 56-day limit. More information will be available at www.bethanycommunity.com soon.

Habitat Update

We've all heard that "the wheels of progress move slowly". That's just as true with the Habitat for Humanity house Bethany is partially funding with our 2008 Easter offering. However, Habitat is in the process of concluding a land deal in Chandler and one of those lots will be ours. By the next eNews publication we should be able to tell you where, when (probably a January start date), and something about the family.

Celebrate With Us!
International Friends
So far 11 families have signed up for the International Friends program to become an influence in the life of an international ASU student. If you would like to get involved contact Sebastian Albert at sebas.albert@gmail.com.

Sit with the People
The hand of the Lord was strong upon me. I came to them and I sat where they sat (Ezekiel 3:14-15 KJV).

In one of her daily devotionals, Kay Arthur, Bible teacher and author, wrote, "Looking at the spinning globe of this world doesn't do a great deal to provoke my interest. It's all too big, too massive, too far beyond my comprehension and experience. Introduce me to the people of a country. Tell me how they live, where they hurt, and what their dreams are. People respond to people. I am convinced that until we really see the world as people, we will never really have a true burden to pray." We could read that last sentence as, "I am convinced that until we see our local community as individuals, we will never have a true burden to reach out in a meaningful way."

God commissioned Ezekiel to go to the children of Israel, a nation that had rebelled against God. But before Ezekiel could address their deepest needs, he had to sit where the people sat. Only after we peek out from behind our own covers of busyness into the core of a person in need, hear their story, do we begin to connect with the individual and recognize that inner part created so much like you or me. Maybe we have to look deep, past a host of wrong choices or a foundation of generational poverty that has ill-prepared them to successfully navigate a society operating on rules different from what their own experiences have taught them.

But look we must if, as emissaries of Jesus, we are ever to see them, love them, and serve them. And that takes some level of time and commitment. Jesus didn't count the cost when he put aside His Godhood and took human form to redeem and serve us-in spite of our separation from Him. Realistically, most of us are not in a position to set aside the business of earning a living, raising families, and myriad other vital responsibilities. However, each one of us can do something.

If you haven't already taken the plunge, begin today to listen to God's still small voice. We urge you to wade in. You just might make a connection that will change someone's life.

On Saturday, October 18, 2-5pm, Bethany is sending a team into a forgotten and neglected community right in our own back yard to "sit with" the children. Do you have a heart for putting a smile on a child's face? Join us as we reach out as the hands of Jesus. Contact Peggy Levesque at plevesque@bethanycc.com.