For a number of years we have held our annual Thanksgiving service on Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving. But this year we have moved that service of thanks and praise to Sunday morning at 10am. We will combine as one family for this special service to express our gratitude to God for his goodness and blessings in our lives this year. Several people from Bethany will share their personal story of gratitude along with a message from the Word about remembering to give thanks.

 

Our annual food offering to bless local food pantries and the Phoenix Rescue Mission will also be that Sunday. In the weeks leading up to this day we will have shopping lists available on Sundays. Then we will all bring our grocery-gifts to Bethany on Sunday, November 23 and give them to the Lord knowing that they will ultimately be given to hungry people in Jesus' name.

On Sunday, November 23, after our one service at 10am, we are planning for coffee and goodies on the courtyard so that we can mingle and meet each other. We will also have tables on the courtyard directing us to ministry opportunities for service to the poor, the least, the lost and the last among us. It is one thing to be thankful. It is another for our genuine gratitude to flow over into sacrificial service.

 

This year I want to challenge every one of us at Bethany to make serving in our community a part of our Thanksgiving celebration. We have so much--we who have been blessed so richly ought to turn our gratitude for God's blessing into service to others. Peggy Levesque and her team working in Community Outreach Ministries at Bethany have put together a number of opportunities for us to reach out and share the love and grace of Jesus with people around us during Thanksgiving week. We will publish details about these opportunities on Sundays in November. Our list of opportunities certainly isn't exhaustive. Maybe you already have some ideas of ways that you and your family can share the love and grace of Jesus with people in our community. Go for it! Just do it!

The great crisis of our souls right now is that we have so much and are so richly blessed, that all we can think of is wanting more. More things, more assets, more blessings, more possessions, more money, more having our way. The most effective antidote to this heart-numbing disease is sacrificial service and giving. It is the way of Jesus who had everything and set it all aside to become a servant and ultimately a sacrifice. It is his way for us to experience him and experience freedom and joy.

I hope you will join me on Sunday, November 23 in one great Thanksgiving Service at 10am at Bethany and then choose a path for serving sacrificially sometime during the Thanksgiving week. Our most heartfelt thanks may not be in what we say, but in what we do.

 

 

 

Last month I talked about how important good communications are to each of us individually and together as a church family. One of
those kinds of good communication is sharing the good news of Christ and what He has done in our lives.  Those stories that we share can be life-giving and life-changing.
 
They are life-giving to other believers who are encouraged by seeing God work among us.  These stories spur us on to love and good deeds as Hebrews 10:24 tells us.  And they are life-changing for those who may not know Jesus yet, but draw closer to Him when they hear a story from someone who has been touched by His love and grace.  So, share you stories with others, both believers and those who don't know Him yet!
 
One of the great opportunities that you will have to share your story is on Thanksgiving, a day that the United States of America has dedicated to "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens*."  Bethany will celebrate six stories of thanksgiving during our single service on Sunday, November 23, at 10am. 
 
But that's only the start!  Continue to celebrate your stories as you gather with family and friends on Thanksgiving; sharing the good things that Christ has done in your life.  You have God-given power to be to life-givers and life-changers, so tell your story!
 
Blessings,
 
Jim Crocco
Executive Pastor
480-831-5005
jcrocco@bethanycc.com 

p.s. We are always looking for people to share their stories with our Bethany community using video presentations during our services.  If God is leading you to do this, please contact John Wood at jwood@bethanycc.com or 480.831.5005.  Thanks!
 
* President Abraham Lincoln, From his Proclamation of Thanksgiving, October 3, 1863.

 

The purpose of intergenerational worship is to bring all generations together in community to worship God. The value of intergenerational worship is being together as a family and having the opportunity as older adults to model and mentor the younger ages to participate in corporate worship.
 
Our leaders and teachers in each age level of Children's and Student ministries work hard to provide worship experiences for our kids and students. Their worship, while very valuable, is missing the component of the generations mixing, engaging with each other, learning together and developing the sense of bonding with the whole family.
 
Many of our children are only in the Worship Center once or twice a year. Participating in worship as part of the greater family encourages their personal spiritual growth, as well as gives them a sense of belonging to the greater church family. While our students are in worship regularly, we would like to strengthen their connections with the church family and encourage their growing leadership skills.
 
One of the goals for our intergenerational worship is to make sure that every generation that attends feels like they belong in our family. This goal demands a passion for worship, creativity, listening and flexibility. Please pray for the team responsible for making our intergenerational worship experience God-honoring.
 
FAQ's
 
What will worship look like and how will kids/students be involved?
- Children and students teaming up with adults to greet the family, offer prayers, read Scripture . . .

- Student musicians as part of the band

- Children's message

- Children and student faith stories \

- Children's programs and interactive activities  

How will my family's Sunday morning routine change?
Children's classes will begin at 9am as they do now. Parents and Guardians who have children that participate in classes at 9am, please pick up your children, Kindergarten - 5th grade, when your first hour commitments are finished. Watch for brightly colored canopies on the courtyard for family stuff!

 

Intergenerational/Family worship begins at 10:45am.  At a specific point in the service, children (Kindergarten - 5th grade) will be dismissed to the lobby, greeted by teachers and volunteers and escorted to age graded classes.

 

Parents and guardians pick up kids from their classrooms after worship. Parents and guardians, you are welcome to bring your young children to worship as well, though the nursery and early childhood classes will not change their routine.  

How do I help my kids appreciate worship?
Help your kids to follow along by referring to the program for what is coming next. Encourage the kids to read the screens or you read it to them. Take time to answer "Who" and "Why" questions. It is OK to whisper to your kids in church! Sit where your kids can see the stage. It will help them to stay focused. Don't worry about the trips to the restroom, dropped books or pencils, or forgetting to whisper. Encourage your kids to play "follow the leader" as you worship.  

Who do I talk to for more information, questions and concerns?
Check out the web site!  This information and more will be posted. As we receive and answer more questions they will be added to the few listed above. Email or call Sheri Baltzer, sbaltzer@bethanycc.com or 480.831.5005. Watch for information in your child's classrooms.

 

 

 

Challenge:  to confront boldly; to dare to perform an action especially as a proof of courage [Mirriam-Webster]
 
Our lives are built around the habits we form--the comfortable patterns we've fallen into, often by default. We feel the nudges from God to serve others, but everyday responsibilities, or even fears, crowd in and, well, we succumb.

Many at Bethany already heed the call of Jesus and obediently make it a priority to help heal the wounds of a hurting world. Good for you. Keep it up. For others, Rich's challenge to reach out and bless someone--to give someone else a reason to thank God during Thanksgiving week--means courageously stepping outside of ourselves to do something different. After all, it isn't easy to change the way we do life.
 
For those who need help choosing how to serve, we've put together some suggestions for one-time opportunities for November 22-29. Browse through them. Call the ministry representatives or talk to them in the courtyard November 9, 16, or 23.  Check out the ideas specifically related to Carestone Assisted Living.
 
Through the power and love of Jesus Christ, do ministry with your family, with your faith community, with your small group, or--if you must--by yourself. But decide today--right now--to do something. Then do it!
 
Annual Food Offering
This has been a tough year for food banks. The demand is up and donations down, speaking to the extent of suffering in our city, and nationwide. Even some in our Bethany family find themselves in need.
 
When I called George Eastlick at the Tempe Salvation Army to see if they wanted to partner with us again this year he said, "I just got out of a meeting where we prayed about our desperate need. Bethany is an answer to prayer."
Don't you love it when God uses you answer to prayer?
 
Once again this year the people of Bethany can choose to bring either a food box (pick up an empty box in the lobby on November 9th or 16th) for the Salvation Army or a frozen turkey for Phoenix Rescue Mission (or both, if desired). On Sunday, November 23, we will celebrate together in one service at 10am. On that Sunday you may drop your filled food boxes at any of the four campus entrances. Turkeys may be dropped at the Phoenix Rescue Mission truck at the edge of the west parking lot.  Want to get an early start? Download the grocery list here.
 
Habitat Countdown
We're still working out the details for beginning our Habitat house on January 3. When we've nailed down our volunteer slots, we'll begin signups. In the meantime, if you have questions, contact Jim Gabler at JimGabler@aol.com.
 
Blood Drive
Wow! On Sunday, October 12, a wide age-range of Bethany folks gave a total of 37 pints of blood, which will impact as many as 407 patients. Many donated for the first time. There would have been more but for a couple of glitches in the system that prevented a few donors from following through with their intentions. The Red Cross folks had nothing but praise for the grace and patience our people exhibited in the face of those delays. Thanks to both the donors, as well as volunteers, who joined in to make this a successful event and bless our community in this way.

- Peggy Levesque, Community Outreach Ministries Director

 

 

 

 

 

6-7am in C1

The smartest man that ever lived just got smarter!  Long ago God blessed Solomon with the gift of wisdom that exceeded the wisdom displayed by any of his predeces-sors and, according to God, any that would succeed him.  He wrote a book that should be on the best seller list because it is so practical and relevant to our lives today.  Among other things, Solomon predicted that our financial efforts will eventually fall.  Was he ever right! 
 
Solomon tells us at the outset that all of our efforts under the sun are vane and will not produce the outcomes that we expect.  It is only by looking above the sun that enables us to focus on Jesus Christ who can help us make sense of the rat race and turmoil that we find ourselves surrounded by.  This Fall we are looking at the wisdom penned in the book of Ecclesiastes to learn from Solomon how to avoid the pitfalls common to man.  Join us in learning from Solomon and enjoy the opportunity to get to know other like-minded men.  Please call me (Terry Gott) if you have any questions or need prayer for an issue you may be facing, 480.305.5824.
 
Men's Grill Night

November 10, 5:30pm (or whenever you can get here)

Our annual Grill Night is just around the corner.  Please bring the meat that you want to grill and we will provide the grill, side dishes and drink.  Invite your father, son, grandson, or friend to enjoy a good night of football (Cardinals vs. 49ers) and fellowship as we enjoy a victory (we know one team will win, hopefully the right one!).
 
Men's Work Day
Men, each third Saturday of the month we get together for a work morning. Join us Saturday, November 15 from 7-10am.  This will be a time for fellowship, light maintenance and landscape work. Bring a rake if you have one--other tools provided. Coffee and donuts at 7am in J1 (the Operations building). 

- Terry Gott, Men's Ministry Pastor 

 

CrossOver Faith Community -- New Venue!  Join us for a gathering of Young Adults (20-30's) in seeking God in worship, truth, and community every first and third Sunday of the month at 7pm in the H building. 
 

 

Superheroes Winter Camp
Camp Ponderosa in Heber, AZ
No rain, sleet or snow will stop the Superheroes Winter Camp for 4th and 5th graders, January 23-25.  This will be a time for your children to learn about our Bible heroes from the Old and New Testament.  There will be Bible lessons, games, skits, food, and lots of time to make new friends.  Gordon West will be the guest speaker and the Band from Sun Valley Christian Church will be leading worship.  

 

Register before December 5 and the cost is $165 per person, which includes: meals, lodging, T-shirt and transportation.  The cost to register after December 5 will be $185.  All registrations must be made by January 9.  Register online now at www.bethanycommunity.com.  
 

  

 

Early Childhood Opportunities
Join the early childhood team: Parents, Grandparents, Aunt and Uncles, students and friends!  There are many opportunities to serve: Sundays, midweek and special events.
 
We are proud to have middle school and high school students that volunteer on a regular basis in our Early Childhood programs. If you are a student in these age groups interested in serving (or know one), please contact Robin Johnson, your Director or Pastor. There is a special student volunteer form that they MUST fill out in order to be a part of this service opportunity.
Robin Johnson 480.831.5005 or rjohnson@bethanycc.com

 

Camp Volunteers needed!
In order to make our Winter Escape successful, we your need help. If you can assist with anything listed below, please contact Mary Beth 480.831.5005 or mbcochran@bethanycc.com with your name, email, and phone number.
 
3-4   Counselors
1      Nurse or EMT
1      Video person to take and edit
1      Recreation leader
1      MC for worship times
1      Tech person to run sound for worship
1      Decorator/ craft person

 

Van Driver Needed for Sunday Rotation
We are in need of a volunteer to drive the church van an average of one Sunday a month. The driver would pick up individuals starting at 8am (one hour before the start of the first service) and return them to their home following the end of the second service. In most cases you will return to the church parking lot by 1pm. Total time commitment would be about two hours per month. This is a rewarding job serving those who have a heart for Jesus but cannot drive.
 
If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jeff Hackett at 602.318.6152 or jhackett75@cox.net

Jayne Schaefer

Acting Communications Director

jschaefer@bethanycc.com