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Elder Meeting October 6 |
Come, listen and observe how our Elders lead Bethany. The monthly meeting of the Elders is open for everyone to attend. Elders meet the first Wednesday of every month at 6pm in D3.
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| Answered Prayer |
Sometimes we pray and pray for healing, but the person just never seems to get better. A few years back my Mother contracted bone cancer. We (the family) prayed for her healing, but God chose to allow her to die. Did He not hear? Did He not  listen to our prayers?
I have a friend who has been in and out of the hospital for the past five years through several surgeries and numerous complications, and he still deals with chronic sickness. Can God not hear our pleas? Are our requests spoken in vain? Are we making the wrong requests? Or, are we looking for answers on this side of heaven and not from God's eternal point of view?
My Mom was in much pain before she passed away. She was a strong believer in Christ and we were all assured of her "final" destiny. As my friend Dr. D. DelHousaye would say, She has stepped on a shore and found it to be heaven; taken hold of a hand and found it to be the hand of Jesus; taken a breath and found it to be celestial air; felt no pain and found it to be immortality. For her, that was always the better choice.
The other day another friend of mine commented on how our mutual friend, through all his five years of sickness, had grown so much in his relationship with Jesus. It is extremely difficult to see our loved ones and friends suffer any kind of hardship or pain in life, and I don't mean to cheapen that in any way. But, could it be that we are making the wrong requests of God? After all, what is more important in eternity--physical healing or spiritual growth?
I read a story about a woman who had been in much pain for years who answered her door one day to find a man who said, What a privilege to meet a person who God has entrusted with so much suffering. Maybe if we could view suffering from God's perspective we could make some sense of it. May He strengthen us all to see life in a heavenly perspective. Learning with you on the journey of prayer.
God Bless,
Your Partners-in-Prayer
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| Missional Life - Community Outreach Update |
... 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
 IHELP
Bethany's hosting schedule has again been modified. For the rest of the year, Bethany will host, prepare and serve meals for our homeless neighbors twice each month: the first Monday and the fourth Sunday. Each hosting serves between 35-37 homeless guests (more in extreme weather conditions). Bethany has also been working with TCAA (Tempe Community Action Agency) to insure that our homeless neighbors have a place to spend every night of the month, so this will probably result in some additional hostings as the year goes on.
From January through September 15, 2010, there have been 19 separate hostings. More than 100 different people have helped make these hostings possible. And, this is a family-friendly opportunity. Those who have helped in the hostings include entire families, MSM kids, transformers (grades 4 and 5) and the Girl Scouts. Bethany youth are definitely involved! Does this mean there is no room for you? Definitely not.
Check the updated schedule on the website and get involved as God leads by serving at a hosting or by providing food, toiletries, clothes, etc. See the IHELP ministry Opportunities page on the web for a complete list of opportunities. Keep informed about what is happening with IHELP by receiving the intra-ministry newsletters. If you are not on the e-mail list and would like to be, please contact Cheryl Chamberlain, cheryllnn2u@yahoo.com, 480.838.4188, or Gen Garan, bggaran@earthlink.net, 480.839.4674.
 Urban Outreach
Bethany's Culinary Angels The Bethany Culinary Angels presently serve meals twice a month on the campus of the Tempe First United Methodist Church to people who are not part of the IHELP program. Each time they feed about 80 of our homeless neighbors. This is a great way to get involved on either a food or monetary basis. Bethany's Egg Brigade Each Monday morning hard-boiled eggs are given to over 60 homeless neighbors, providing good, basic nutrition. The recipients really look forward to them after an  early morning shower. And, notice these cute little guys! They were made possible, in part, by the recycling of the hard-boiled egg cartons you provided. Bethany's Early Childhood Ministry thanks the Egg Brigade for the nifty craft materials! Isn't it great how God puts things together! - Gen Garan |
| Men's Ministry |
Wednesday Nights
Men, have you ever pondered the questions: Why do I do what I do? How can I know what I should be doing? How can I do better?
Proverbs 24 has some important things to tell us about the importance of being involved in this quest together. Verse 10 says, If you are slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited. And, verses 33-34 tell us, A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man. (NAS).
All of us will face hard issues in life, and we need to prepare ourselves. If we don't, we will have limited strength and ability when it's needed most. If we put preparation off we will be helpless when difficult times arrive. So,these are the issues and questions we are grappling with each and every Wednesday night in our Men's Ministry gatherings--and we want you to join us!
Come early at 6pm for pizza and fellowship. Sessions start at 6:30pm in Building J (SE part of the campus). October topics are, Prophecy Proves the Scriptures are Reliable and Understanding Our Position In Christ. For more information call Terry Gott, terrygott@cox.net or 480.797.1964.
Special Event: Men at the Cross
October 2, 8am - 12:30pm
The Bethany men are invited to join with men from the greater Phoenix area for a call to discipleship Saturday morning from 8am-12:30pm at Cornerstone Church in Chandler. We will organize a block of seats so that together we can learn what discipleship is and how it can become a part of our lives. The speakers for this event are Joe White, Dr. Gary Smalley, Ted Cunningham and Samuel Rodriguez. The cost is $29. For more information call Terry Gott at 480.797.1964), or visit the website http://www.menatthecross.org.
- Terry Gott, Men's Ministry Pastor (Volunteer)
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Middle School Ministry | |
 MSM Students Bring New Friends!
Last month, Middle School Ministry headed to SunSplash in the evening for Night Splash! While everyone had tons of fun on the slides, lazy river, wave pool, lily pads and so much more, I was so proud of our regular MSM students for bringing friends. We had over 60 middle school students come to this event--and almost 20 of them were new to MSM! Praise God! I'm so grateful for the awesome time we all had together, but I'm even more excited that lots of kids got to hear about Jesus before we left Bethany. Amen! Please be praying for these middle school students.
MSM is looking forward to other upcoming events to help students get connected to Bethany and to Christ. On October 29-30, MSM is having its annual Fall Lock-In! All middle school students should be there!!
Gratefully Yours,
Josh Harper, Middle School Pastor
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Children's Ministry | |
Children's Ministry Volunteer Reaches beyond Bethany's Borders
I would like to share with you about a special volunteer who is living out our Get Serving strategy.
Many of you know our wonderful long-time friend and volunteer in Children's Ministry, Ms. Dora Sinclair. Weekly, Dora works countless hours behind the scenes preparing craft projects for our kids to enjoy creating on Sunday mornings. Each week our kids have a new, exciting project to make thanks to Dora's planning and preparation. Dora's ministry to children, however, knows no boundaries. There are some other great things Dora is doing for children that I would like to share with you.
Routinely, Dora and her husband Paul drive to Hermosillo, Mexico to an orphanage for children called Home of Joy. This is home to many of the children our Bethany kids have served long-distance through some of our past service opportunities. It is Dora who spearheads these efforts and delivers, in person, our Bethany kids' handiwork and donations to the kids at Home of Joy Orphanage.
One of our recent projects was for our kids to decorate coffee cans in several fun and creative ways. Then our kids collected small toiletries, soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, snacks and trinkets to fill the cans. Dora delivered these filled cans to the orphanage. Our Children's Ministry has also purchased powdered milk for Dora to deliver to the orphanage.
The following excerpt is from a letter written by Home of Joy:
The children change in one week after coming to the home. You don't realize the stress these kids are under until it has been lifted. One new little 5 year old boy makes our director promise every morning that we will never take him back to his original home. Each week as he opens up, we are brought to tears by his stories. God is doing mighty things in and with the lives of these children. Thank you for the milk, without it eating cereal becomes a challenge. The food and bath products are also greatly appreciated. We have just added two more kids--a 2 year old and a 4 year old, this will be our first diapers. Thanks so very, very much in HIS name.
Dora is also making a difference in the lives of some other kids in the Philippines. When our Children's Ministry has old, worn Bibles, used toys and games, past curriculum and other used supplies, we save it all for Dora. Once a year, Dora packages up the goods and mails everything off to the Philippine Islands. God is putting our used items to great use there. A Children's Ministry program started there with just a handful of children. Here is an email message from the recipients of these items in the Philippines:
Hello, Marilyn. Kumusta na? Have read Dora's message. Please give her my thanks. Please tell her a regular Sunday afternoon Kid's Fellowship was born because of the materials she sent. There are about fifty children who regularly attend the program. Let's pray this program could reach as many children in the community. Always praying for all of you.
Ang nagmamahal,
Nelly
Please join me in celebrating the great work God is doing through a very thoughtful and faithful servant, Ms. Dora Sinclair. Her care and service is making a difference not only in the lives of our children at Bethany, but also in the lives of children far from here. Thank you Dora!
Transformer Fall Lock-In (Grades 4 & 5)
Our Fall Lock-In is just around the corner for all Transformers! October 22-23, 2010. Join us at 5pm Friday until 4pm Saturday. That's right, 23 hours of fun! We will play lots of fun games, eat and sleep at church, hear from the Word of God, Worship together, and much more, including a fun time at the Children's Museum of Phoenix! All you fourth and fifth graders--sign up now! Cost is just $15 and you can bring a new friend for only $5. Complete information and registration is now available online. Space is limited.
-Kevin Kramar, Children's Ministry Director
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| Did You Know . . . |
Did you know that you can donate up to $1000* to be used for grants or scholarships to a private school and get the total amount credited back to you at tax time?! Bethany Learning Center (BLC) would like you to prayerfully consider this state tax benefit and request BLC as the recipient when you donate. Kindergarten enrollment is drastically down due to the economy, and BLC needs your help to fund scholarships for those who are otherwise unable to attend. This is such a wonderful opportunity to reach out to those families who know Christ, as well as those who don't know Him yet. For additional information on the tax credit, contact Maryellen Hawkinson at the Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization, Inc. (ACSTO), 480.838.3933, or refer to their web site at www.acsto.org. For more information on Bethany Learning Center, call 480.838.2440 or visit www.blcforjesus.org. *Up to $500 for singles or $1000 for a couple filing jointly.
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| Family Reunion |
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ~ Romans 12:15
 Velma Partlow passed away suddenly September 4. She had previously attended Bethany with her husband, Walter. Velma is also survived by her brother, Don Hostetler (Lola), nephew, Pat Hostetler (Marla) and their children, Emma, Hayden and Chandler.
Please join us as we pray for the peace and comfort of the family as they mourn their loss.
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Upcoming Program and Event Highlights | |
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