| A Word from Rich |
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Season of Lent and Holy Week
40 Days in Time Out: Think About What You've Done
Sermon series, personal and small group Bible studies for Lent
 Time out! Think about what you've done. The forty-day season of Lent is like time out for our souls. Time for honest soul searching and listening to the Spirit of God as he points out our faults and failures-not to humiliate us-but to change us, to heal us and to make us like Jesus. Some of the sins he wants to root out of our lives are so common and so widespread we hardly think of them as sins at all. But God calls them sin. And he exposes them in our lives and calls on us to repent of them, to throw them out of our lives, and to put into our lives new attitudes, behaviors and habits that reflect the righteousness and holiness of Jesus himself. Our study during the season of Lent is based on the book Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges (NavPress, 2007) and will include Sunday messages and personal and small group Bible studies designed to dig deeper and press for action and accountability after hearing the Word of God. Some traditions focus on giving up something for Lent. I'd like to suggest that we both give up some things (our respectable sins) and take on some other things (the attitudes, behaviors and habits of Jesus). The Apostle Paul talked about putting off the old self and putting on the new self, which is becoming like Christ: Ephesians 4:22-24You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
The putting off involves the old habits and patterns of sin and selfishness that we have grown comfortable with, and hardly think of as sins. The putting on can be new habits and patterns of godliness and holiness that God wants our lives to be characterized by. Our study will emphasize turning away from the sins we've allowed into our lives and turning toward new attitudes and behaviors that will have us looking, thinking and being like Jesus. Which is his intention for us all along. So, let these forty days in time out be a season of study, prayer, meditation, listening to the Spirit of God and interaction with others who are following Jesus-with the hope that we will continue to become like him. 40 Days in Time Out: Think About What You've Done
Confronting the sins we tolerate in our lives
Sunday, March 1 Confronting Me, Me, Me (Pride & Selfishness)
Sunday, March 8 Unmasking My Inner Jerk (Anger, Impatience & Irritability)
Sunday, March 15 Shedding Light on My Anxious Heart (Worry & Fear)
Sunday, March 22 Exposing the Pharisee in Me (Judging & Condemning)
Sunday, March 29 Coming Clean about My Foul Mouth (Sins of the Tongue)
Rich
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Lent/Holy Week Schedule (February 25-April 12)
40 Days in Time Out
Sunday messages, personal and small group Bible studies confronting sins we tolerate in our own lives (Visit bethanycommunity.com to download Study Guide) Palm SundaySunday, April 5 One service - 10am, Worship Center A celebration of the King and his Kingdom Maundy ThursdayThursday, April 9 7pm, H Building Communion service remembering the Lord's final Passover with his disciples Good FridayFriday, April 10 7pm, Worship Center A service at the cross remembering the Savior's death for us Resurrection Sunday Sunday, April 12 9am & 10:45am, Worship Center A glorious service of praise celebrating Jesus' victory over death
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Bethany 2009 International Short Term Outreach Teams |
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Many of us are sent each year to make disciples of all nations through Bethany's short term teams. Last year our teams were involved in hurricane relief, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), ministering to vulnerable and orphaned children, sports camps for kids, pastoral training, and ministry to youth and young married couples in the slums of Latin America. Bravo! God is at work through the people of Bethany.
 In 2009, we are again trusting God to send out Bethany teams to collaborate with our international partners in these strategic ministry initiatives: Indonesia
TESOL 4 - Teacher Training Workshops Children's program with Island Literacy Network (ILN) June 19-27 Kenya
Team to lead university level teacher training December KosovaSoccer and karate sports camp program Ministry to orphaned and disabled children May - June Mexico
Partner with other local churches to serve the poor March, October, December Southeast Asia
Serve at Firestone International Conference Youth, IT, Security, Financial August 4-18 PeruEstablish mentoring and discipleship with young adults Work together with young adults on community projects July 24 - August 3 If you know which team you would like to be a part of (or even if you don't), please register your interest online. Or, stop by the table on the courtyard. Team Training will begin on Sunday, March 15, at 4pm in D4. See you there! - John Wood, Outreach Pastor |
Community Outreach Update |
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"...I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
Celebrate Outreach!
We Filled the Truck!
On Sunday, February 8, the people of Bethany filled the ThriftSmart truck. Julie Lilly, former manager of the ThriftSmart store said that this was the best single-day church collection since the economy went south in the fall. Great job everyone! Thanks.
Unfortunately, the tough economy has also negatively impacted thrift stores. Effective March 1, the 18-month-old ThriftSmart closed the doors to its store and became a collection organization that will sell to Valley thrift stores that are already well established in the community. This reduction in overhead will allow the company to better fulfill their primary purpose of supporting four Christian charities in our community: Phoenix Rescue Mission, Food for the Hungry, KidsHope and Young Life.
Habitat for Humanity
The new home under construction for the Ha family is making great progress and is on schedule for completion and dedication on Saturday, May 9. The house is fully framed and the windows, rough electrical and plumbing work are done. Drywall installation will start soon. It is amazing to see the progress each Saturday as volunteers from Bethany or one of our co-sponsors work under the direction of experienced volunteer Habitat For Humanity leaders who patiently demonstrate technique and safety.
Ngyn Ha, the future homeowner, arrives every Saturday with a huge smile as she helps to build her family's house. Please feel free to stop by 425 S. Delaware Street in Chandler (one block south of Frye Road on Delaware; three blocks east of Arizona Avene) any time to check progress for yourself.
Some great ideas have surfaced to show support for Ngan Ha and her children. One woman donated a "like new" sofa. Another suggested a team to make valences for some of the windows. To maintain Habitat fairness to all their families, these extras will be Bethany specific.
If you have ideas on how to surround this family with the love of Jesus, feel free to discuss them with Dale Huizingh or Ruth Pate.
Potter's House
Last night after returning home from Potter's House, I removed the decorative pillows from my bed then opened a drawer to take out my pajamas. As I climbed into bed I remembered a patron commenting that he didn't remember the last time he'd slept in a bed. Suddenly a realization struck. I am truly rich and blessed. I spent my first evening with this outreach organizing myriad boxes and bags in the clothing room into some semblance of order. As homeless guests wandered in and out, I had multiple opportunities to talk about their lives. Several had volunteered in this room. Many offered suggestions and even pitched in to help. Gabriel, who referred to himself as a messenger, spent over an hour labeling boxes, sorting clothes and simply visiting. I saw how desperately the men and women need clean socks and underwear. They don't need pajamas, and they especially don't need the high-heeled shoes stacked in the corner. Operating on the grounds of the First United Methodist Church at 215 E. University Drive in Tempe, this drop-in center offers a place for those homeless unable to get into the I-HELP program on Mondays through Wednesdays to get a beverage, possibly a meal, or just hang out from 6 to 9pm. Volunteers serve food/coffee, distribute clothing, monitor the grounds, play games or simply talk, letting the guests know someone cares about them. They do not have the same stringent screening process that I-HELP employs, so this ministry is not recommended for children. We're going again on Monday, March 16. If you would like a place to offer a caring face and voice, I urge you to come along and check out this ministry. Contact Cheryl Chamberlain. Children First Academy (formerly Pappas School)
Do you have two hours a month to invest in changing the course of a homeless child's life? This school welcomes, even searches out, children from the lowest economic segment of our society to provide training and resource materials for improving a child's self-esteem, homework and other critical factors. Contact Beulah Montgomery. Looking for the place God designed for you to serve? Contact Peggy Levesque at plevesque@bethanycc.com. |
| New Bethany Web Site Makes it Debut |
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Bethany Community Church Launches New Web Site
Bethanycommunity.com has an entirely new look and feel, along with a host of great new capabilities! The new site is designed to make it easier to find the information you are looking for and to be more interactive in nature. Colorful Flash panels highlight events that take you to more detailed information with a simple click from the Home Page! I'm New and Attender buttons provide helpful listings and links with the type of information that many people want to know from the perspective of someone considering visiting Bethany for the very first time or someone who has been attending for years. A scrolling News Feed across the middle of the Home Page alerts the Web site visitor of periodic special interest information. Buttons for Care and Prayer needs, eNews, Bethany Learning Center and Online Giving all make it easier to get the information you want or arrange your online transactions quickly and directly. As we go forward, the new bethanycommunity.com will continue to be enhanced with new capabilities and more information. Please take a look at the new bethanycommunity.com now and check back often! - Bethany Community Church Web Team |
| New Beginnings Small Group Starts March 8 |
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 Imagine facing a difficult situation that looks hopeless, yet having full confidence that God will provide just the right answer when we need it! This is what New Beginnings is all about.
God's word says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6). What does this mean? Who is this verse speaking to? When does it apply? How can I see if it really works? New Beginnings is a 10 week small group meant for people that want a new fresh outlook on life. Whether you have attended Bethany for several years or have just started, you will find this group to be engaging, practical and fun. Recent participants commented that although they have attended church for years, truths they learned from this small group are revolutionizing their spiritual lives. They regret not understanding some verses and concepts they recently learned years ago. After spending just 10 weeks together, participants are getting to know others in a way that makes Bethany feel like a new home. If you haven't experienced a "New Beginning" recently, call Mary Beth Cochran for more information at 480-831-5005 or register online.
- Terry Gott, Discipleship Pastor
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MSM to Serve Our Neighbors |
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Over Spring Break, the Middle School Ministry will be serving our neighbors in the Phoenix area. Spring Break Mission Trip-Phoenix Style is an effort to love God and love others in the name of Jesus.
Middle school students will be working with children in Phoenix at an underprivileged elementary school. Students will also work at a variety of other work sites. We will spend nights together in fellowship and participate in a variety of fun activities here at Bethany and in the area.
It's not too late to register! Late registration is $120, but you can save $50 if you commit to preparing one meal for the team. The last date to register is Thursday, March 5. The dates of the trip are March 7-11 and March 14-18. All middle school students are invited to join us.
- Josh Harper, Middle School Ministry Director |
| Register Now for Bethany Learning Center |
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Bethany Learning Center, a ministry of Bethany Community Church, has its registration underway for Summer 2009 (ages 15 months through Grade 6) and School Year 2009-2010 (ages 15 months through Kindergarten).
BLC also offers a Toddler and Preschool program from 9am to Noon with a two-day, three-day or five-day schedule and a five-day Kindergarten program from 8:30am. to 2:30pm. Before and after-school care is also available.
For more information, contact Pat Sullivan at 480.838.2440 or blcforjesus.org. |
| Thank You to the Men's Ministry |
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To show their appreciation, the Men's Ministry had a free carwash for the women of Bethany. Over eighty women treated themselves to valet parking and having their vehicles washed. It was heartwarming to see all the men working together to make it such a successful event. Thank you, Bethany men, for all you do! |
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Opportunities to Serve |
Are You Able to Read and Speak in a Language Other than English?
 For one of our upcoming Sunday worship services we are looking for people who can read aloud in another language: French, Russian, Farsi, Tagalog, Hindi, Spanish, Hungarian, Gujarati, Ma or any other language.
Please let us know which language you can read by either sending an email to Kathy Feruglio, kferuglio@bethanycc.com or giving us your name, language and contact information on the tear-off portion of the Sunday program. |
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Upcoming Program and Event Highlights |
Programs
Adult Ministries
Men's Fraternity, 3/04/09
Men's Breakfast, 3/03/09
Men's Work Day, 3/14/09
Mom2Mom, 3/9/2009
Girlfriend Connection, 3/13/09
GROW AM, 3/5/09
GROW PM, 3/4/09
Girlfriend Connection, 3/13/09
Care Ministry
Crown Financial Small Groups, 3/01/09
Job Networking Ministry, 3/05/09
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