|
Thanksgiving Food Offering - November 21 | |
Each year, the people of Bethany give thanks to God by bringing food offerings to share with needy individuals and families in our community. This year, the need is especially great. George Eastlick of Tempe Salvation Army says that over 60% of the food boxes that they distribute each year come from Bethany. Let's keep it going strong, as an expression of thanksgiving to our God!
On November 7 and 14, empty Salvation Army boxes with attached food lists will be available at the end of each service. We ask those who are able to take a box (or two), fill it and return to Bethany on Sunday, November 21.
Due to changes in ministry focus at Phoenix Rescue Mission, we will not be collecting turkeys this year.
- John Wood, Missional Life Pastor
|
| Missional Life | |
ONE STORY - International Weekend 2010, November 20-21
How are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? (Romans 10:14) And how can they hear unless they have God's story in their own language? One Story (http://www.onestory.org).
 This year's International Sunday on November 21 is going to focus on One Story. Bill and Rachel Chesley will be our guest speakers. They have used the One Story approach in Chad in the last few years, and God is blessing by spreading the message throughout the Migaama villages. The country of Chad alone has at least 50 more people groups that have virtually no believers and nothing of God's Word in their own language. Who is going to let them know that their Creator speaks their language?
International Weekend begins on Saturday, November 20 with a seminar entitled, Christians Connecting With Muslims. The speaker comes from a Saudi Muslim background and is now a follower of Jesus Christ. He will be helping us to understand a Biblical response to what Muslims believe about the Bible and about Jesus' sacrifice.
Then, on Sunday morning, the courtyard will be abuzz with displays featuring the ministries of all of our partners around the globe. Many of the partners will be present. Others will be well-represented by their core team partners.
Come sample the atmosphere. See you on International Weekend 2010!
- John Wood, Missional Life Pastor
Surprised by the Truth
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures... ~ 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Jenny and Becca were hanging out at the local McDonalds, giving their kids a chance to expend some energy. A mom and three teenage girls, all in traditional Muslim dress, came and sat down at the neighboring table. Jenny and Becca thought, Here is an opportunity. Yet they had no idea where to start or what to say, so they silently prayed for Jesus to open a door. When no light came down from heaven, Jenny and Becca looked over at the other ladies and said, Hi. They responded with huge smiles. Clearly the mother was born in another country. When asked, she was happy to share that she was from the Oromo tribe in Ethiopia. This is a tribe virtually unreached by the gospel.
 Jenny asked the mom if she was Muslim. This was an obvious point, but it opened a spiritual conversation. Rania, one of the teenage girls, had the Qur'an open on her lap. She explained that she had a goal of memorizing the entire Qur'an and then the Bible. Rania asked Jenny, Why do Christians believe Jesus died when the Bible says he didn't? Opening a small Bible she kept in her purse, Jenny shared with Rania that the Bible says Jesus did die and that he was raised from the dead. Rania grabbed the New Testament from Jenny's hands and read about the crucifixion of Christ for herself. She looked up, dumbfounded, and asked, Can I have your phone number?
The mom then asked Becca if she would send the girls Bibles. She wanted her daughters to know what it says. Becca got their address and had the privilege of sending three study Bibles to these young women, with their mom's blessing.
_____________________
Praise the Lord, for the way He set up this conversation with a woman and her girls at McDonald's! When God chooses to use the mundane, normal things of life to bring honor to himself, will you be prepared to be His witness? Muslims enjoy talking about religion. If that makes you uncomfortable or you feel ill-equipped, join us when we meet with a former Muslim and learn to share the truth of the scriptures and Jesus' sacrifice in a culture that is not our own--to people who have never heard why God sent his Son into the world.
Christians Connecting with Muslims
A Biblical response to what Muslims believe
about the Bible and Jesus' sacrifice
Saturday, November 20, 2010
10am - 3pm | D4
- Has the Lord put Muslims on your heart or in your life?
- Have you wondered how to share God's truth with people who believe the Bible has been changed?
- How do you share the freedom of redemption through Christ when Islam teaches that Jesus didn't die on the cross?
Millions of Muslims in the U.S. are searching for true peace and answers that can only be found in Jesus. A sack lunch will be available for $5. Please register at www.bethanycommunity.com.
- John Wood, Missional Life Pastor
|
| Christmas at Thanksgiving! |
... 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
The IHELP ministry has exciting plans for the holiday season. Last year, thanks to the contributions of many, we were able to bless the IHELP participants at Christmas time with physical items and gift cards to allow them to purchase things they needed. This year, Christmas will be coming to our IHELP guests at Bethany on Thanksgiving morning!
Many churches and people give gifts to our homeless neighbors during the Christmas holidays. And, while this kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated, our homeless guests have needs at times other than Christmas. Also, since they have no place to store items, any gifts they receive must be able to be carried with them and consumables need to be periodically replenished.
So, to better meet our guests on-going needs, the IHELP ministry at Bethany has decided to do Christmas at Thanksgiving. Our goal this year is to bless each IHELP guest with gift cards that will allow them to purchase new shoes, a light windbreaker jacket or whatever they feel they need most.
If you would like to participate in this gift to our homeless neighbors, please purchase gift cards from Walmart in the amount of $10. If you are able to give more than $10, please purchase multiple cards of $10 (rather than one card for a larger amount) as this makes distribution easier.
Please drop off gift cards before November 7 in the designated box in the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings or in the Church office during office hours. Cards will also be accepted at the IHELP table in the courtyard on Sunday, November 7 (the last day to donate cards for this program), as well as any donations of clothing, toiletries, lunch items, etc.
 Bethany will have our IHELP homeless neighbors on campus Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving morning and the Sunday after (November 28). There will be opportunities to help serve food and visit with our guests during the Thanksgiving Day breakfast and dinner on Sunday. More on that will be announced soon, but you might want to mark your calendars. If you are looking to serve somewhere over the Thanksgiving Holiday, perhaps this would be a good choice for you!
Thanks for helping to show Jesus' love to our homeless neighbors through participation in this program. Please respond as God leads you.
For additional information on these programs, please contact Cheryl Chamberlain, cheryllnn2U@yahoo.com, 480.838.4188 or Gen Garan, bggaran@earthlink.net, 480.839.4674.
- Gen Garan
|
| Daily Surrender |
The Apostle Paul instructs us to Walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. How can our daily prayer time guide us to do this?
I read an article not too long ago where a pastor encouraged his readers to die to self daily in order to live the victorious life in Christ which is promised in scripture. He encouraged his readers to start each day, prior to making any other choices or decisions, by completely surrendering their whole lives (and the entire day) to Jesus.
I believe this is sound advice--starting each morning prayer time by praising God for the awesome, wonderful Being that He is; thanking Him for the day that stands before us, and then giving each moment, decision, and breath to Him. After all, He is the God who controls the planets, the seasons, even the air which we breathe. How can we possibly think that we could ever run our life better than Him?
So as we start each day, a day that was not promised but given as a gift by our Lord, let's take a moment and give it back to Him, and surrender each and every thought and action to Jesus. After all, isn't that what being a Christian is all about? Christ in me. As Paul said, I can do nothing without Christ. As we journey in prayer with Jesus each day, let's allow Him to speak into and through us each and every moment.
God Bless,
Your Partners-in-Prayer
|
| Wednesday Nights at Bethany |
Did you know we offer midweek programs for the entire family? Everyone pile in the van and head to Bethany on Wednesdays! Programs begin at 6:30 pm for all ages. Drop off the baby in the A Building and that's where our preschoolers will experience age-specific activities and lessons, as well. Kindergarteners through third graders head to the B Building for FaithWeaver Friends, a fun interactive evening of drama, music, games and crafts--all with a Bible-based theme. Transformers, grades 4 and 5, are in the H Building for a very active evening of fun games and exploration as we Walk thru the New Testament. Our Student Center comes alive with both Middle School and High School Ministries, each investing in students' lives and experiencing personal growth through dynamic small groups. Mom can head to GROW in E6 for an adventure through the book of Acts. Dad will find great fellowship with other guys in the J Building and explore Bible prophecies together. Ongoing connections, ongoing growth. Wednesday nights at Bethany are truly exciting! Our campus is buzzing, come join in and bring the entire family! -Kevin Kramar, Children's Ministry Director |
| Angel Tree is Back! | |
Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."
~ Matthew 18:25
The people of Bethany have the opportunity again this year to reach into the lives of some of the most at-risk children in our community. Gifts given by anonymous donors in the incarcerated parent's name are often one of the few connections a child has with that parent.
Pick up an angel in the courtyard starting November 7. Gifts can be dropped off at the table in the courtyard on December 5 or at the church office no later than December 12. Bethany Bikers will be delivering the gifts on December 19. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
- John Wood, Missional Life Pastor
|
|
Children's Ministry | |
Transformers Get Out and Get Serving!
Our fourth and fifth graders have been busy organizing a canned food drive to benefit the Chandler Food Bank. A very special thanks to you if you have helped contribute to this food drive!
On Saturday, November 6 we will deliver all collections and serve together in the food bank warehouse. There has been quite a bit of work already, and we haven't even been to the warehouse yet. These kids have painted banners, organized collection Sundays here at Bethany and elsewhere, and even brought in their own canned food donations.
What I'm most proud of is the way our Transformers anxiously worked together to Get Out with neighbors who live near our Bethany campus. On two separate Sundays in October these kids ventured out to the neighborhood homes nearby to collect canned food donations. They walked together going door to door introducing themselves, meeting neighbors and living out their service to others in the name of Jesus. Not only did the Transformers collect canned food donations from the homes, but they used the opportunity to get to know our neighbors, share about themselves and our Bethany family, and extend a personal invitation to join us at Bethany on an upcoming Sunday.
Great job Transformers--way to Get Out and Get Serving!
-Kevin Kramar, Children's Ministry Director
Are You On This List?
Take a glance over this list and let me know if I might have described any of your gifts and abilities. There are many exciting ways people can help serve our great kids here at Bethany! This list contains just a few of our present opportunities.
Are you on this list? If so, would you consider sharing your gifts to make a difference in our Children's Ministry? Please drop me a line so we can discuss how you might Get Serving!
- Occasional Craft Assembler (Non-Sunday Position): Works behind-the-scenes assembling our planned craft projects.
- Parent Classroom Aide (Rotating): A parent of one or more children already involved in our children's ministry.
- Super Shopper: Keeps an eye out for things we need at special markdowns, garage sales and discount shops.
- Part-Time Program Helper (Non-Sunday Position): Behind-the-scenes worker, makes copies, prepares teacher materials.
- Snack/Meal Preparer (Non-Sunday Position): Helps provide snacks and meals at special events.
- Husband & Wife On-Call Substitute Team: Serves along with his/her spouse on an as-needed fill-in basis.
- Small Group Assistant: Occasional sunday morning helper within a smaller, more intimate setting.
- Bulletin Board Decorator (Non-Sunday Position): Creates new looks in our classrooms - opportunities arise on a quarterly basis.
- Kid-Fix Helper: An Empty-Nester who enjoys just a few hours with a few great kids every once in awhile.
- Kevin Kramar, Children's Ministry Director, 480.831.5005, kkramar@bethanycc.com
|
| Bethany's Successful Faith and Family Night | |
Bethany's Successful Faith and Family Night
On September 24, all generations of Bethany decided to Get Together and enjoy a Diamondbacks game! About 175 people from Bethany attended the game and enjoyed a Jeremy Camp concert afterwards.
Bethany attendees spent the entire game hanging out, chatting with one another and having fun together. This was an amazing experience. Worshipping with Jeremy Camp later in the night was a God-honoring time. Awesome!
Also, nearly $900 was raised for our church. Benevolence money was used to bring several Sons of Singles and Guadalupe families who otherwise would not be able to afford admission. Thank you so much, Bethany, for being such a generous body of people and caring for others in this way. I'm so proud to be part of a church that so lovingly gives to those in need! I know God is so pleased with this kind of effort.
Thinking back to the game, one of the coolest parts of the experience for me was seeing all the generations interacting with one another. Young children, elementary-aged kids, teenagers and a variety of adults interacted with one another in an awesome way--cheering on the DBacks and worshipping with Jeremy Camp. Thanks, Bethany, for being a great example of the multi-generational body of Christ!
- Josh Harper, Middle School Pastor
|
| Family Reunion |
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ~ Romans 12:15
 Linda Whipple's mother, Bonnie, passed away in mid October after a strong fight with cancer. Linda is a long-time member of Bethany and was formerly our Director of Care Ministries. Please be with us in prayer for the family that the Light of Jesus shines down in each of their lives.
|
|
Upcoming Program and Event Highlights | |
|
|
Give thanks together as one community. We will celebrate together with children and students for one service in the worship center. 
