| Yes, Change MUST Come to Bethany! | |
I hope that you have taken advantage of all the information regarding the elder recommendation to join with Sun Valley. If you missed any of the material regarding the merger it can be found at bethanycommunity.com/merger or in the Connecting Point. If you have missed any of the sermons delivered by Chad Moore or Scott Ridout, Lead Pastors of SVCC, you can watch them on the Bethany website at bethanycommunity.com/currentseries. They were delivered on 8/7, 8/14 and 8/21. It is very important to the Elder Board that you are fully informed about this recommendation.
However, the facts and figures are head knowledge. Being a good steward of God's belongings is not ALL about head knowledge. Seeking and following God's will is ever more important than following what our head says makes us most comfortable. As we have been learning all summer, It's not about you! It is about Jesus--spreading His message and personally growing in Him . . . Please read the entire article online.
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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
 Help Save a Life!
People ask, How important is my blood donation? How is my blood donation used? The answer is clear: blood is used to save lives! Blood transfusions save more than 4 million lives each year. It is estimated that blood is needed every two seconds and that 1 out of 7 people entering the hospital will need blood. Since blood cannot be manufactured or harvested, it can only come from Heroes like YOU--the volunteer blood donor!
Once again, the United Blood Services BloodMobile will be on the Bethany Campus. You will find it in the North parking lot on Sunday, September 25, from 7:30 am until noon. Register online today at www.bloodhero.com or at the table in the courtyard on Sunday mornings.
If you have questions about blood donation, check out the United Blood Services FAQ page.
- Adriane Grimaldi, agrimaldi@bethanycc.com
Coming to Bethany's Campus September 23: Project Connect!
Project Connect is a one-day outreach event sponsored by the City of Tempe, administered and coordinated by the Valley of the Sun United Way. For September, it will be hosted once again at Bethany Community Church.
Project Connect brings together more than 30 human service providers to one central location, increasing access to services for many individuals. Attendees receive a wealth of information, tools and resources to tackle the issues they face each day. Individuals can obtain food, clothing, identification documents, vital records, shelter, wellness checks, haircuts and employment services, among many other things.
Volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring Project Connect guests receive the adequate resources to meet their needs. Volunteers work one-on-one with guests and escort them to the array of service providers available on site. In addition, volunteers are responsible for registering guests, serving food, distributing clothes and providing other event support.
Visit the Valley of the Sun United Way website to volunteer or for more information.
If you would like to help set up or tear down on September 22 or 23, please contact Gen Garan for details and needs. You cannot volunteer for this opportunity through the United Way.
Thanks to everyone at Bethany for helping show God's love to our surrounding community.
Bethany contact person: Gen Garan, bggaran@cox.net or 480.839.4674
 IHELP
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who participated in the Matthew 25 Sunday offering of bottled water and lip balm. Thanks to your generosity, Bethany was able to provide over 5,000 bottles of water toward Tempe's hydration Centers for those in need. The water was given equally to the Salvation Army and the Tempe Community Action Agency's IHELP program.
Bethany continues to host IHELP three times a month. In order to give those who need a respite from the heat, the number of guests over the summer has been increased. The needs continue and God has continued to provide. Have you been convicted about this opportunity?
If you want more information, or want to receive the monthly IHELP newsletters, please contact one of the following:
Cheryl Chamberlain (meals): cheryllynn2u@yahoo.com, 602.293.6685
Gen Garan (operations): bggaran@cox.net, 480.839.4674
Kathy Estrada(lunch bags): kajeane@cox.net, 480.940.8539
- Gen Garan
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Missional Life: International Outreach Update | |
Mary and Kyle Kettering Complete Missionary Assignment
 For the past three years, Mary Richardson Kettering has served as Bethany's cross-cultural ministry partner in Europe. For two years, she ministered with Greater Europe Mission (GEM) as part of the Areopag Student Center in Prishtina, Kosova. During one of GEM's summer conferences, she met Kyle who also served with GEM in Finland. Mary joined Kyle this last year as they ministered as a married couple in Finland.
Mary had originally committed to a three year tour of duty, and Kyle to four. Both have now completed their commitment and their European ministry. Just recently, they returned to Kyle's home state of Ohio to settle down, find jobs and, God willing, raise a family. They are currently re-connecting with friends and supporters, and their membership in GEM will officially come to a close in October.
Recently, Mary wrote a thank you letter to Bethany in story form, which she entitled, Mary's Story. Here are a few lines from her story:
Ten years ago a young, shy, fresh out of high school girl crossed onto the Bethany Community Church campus. She was unaware of how deep an impact this church would make in her life, to the point of becoming like a surrogate parent. Innumerable members and staff have invested into her life, building her up into the experienced, confident, God focused woman she is today.
. . . Bethany (and the people inside) will always have a most special place in my heart. Thank you for blessing me, investing in me and helping me to become a woman who lives to love God and others. I love you all!!!
Please read the entire text of Marys Story . . .
- John Wood, Missional Life Pastor
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|
Praying for God's Will | |
 As we have all been requested by our church leaders to pray for and about the upcoming member vote on our Elders' recommendation to join with Sun Valley Community Church, I have been thinking much about God's plan and God's will for the future of our two churches.
We know that Jesus did all things according to His Father's will --all things to bring glory to God. Our responsibility as the church, as the body of Christ, first and foremost, is to bring glory to Jesus--through our worship, our ministries, our proclaiming the gospel and through our prayers.
For me, and I hope for all of us, the big question is whether this adoption will bring glory to God. Will this partnership bring more people into a relationship with Jesus as Savior? Will it deepen the relationships of those who already claim Him as Lord? These are some of the questions I've been discussing with God during my prayers times. How about you?
Still with you in these times of prayer,
Your Partners-in-Prayer
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| Children's Ministry | |
 God's Critters & Company
Thanks to everyone for a memorable evening together with Wildman Phil and his fun critters! It was cool to see God's amazing and wonderful work in each one of the creatures featured at our Children's Ministry event on August 19.
 We had lots of new kids and families who attended the event as first-time Bethany visitors! I want to thank every family who came and Got Together with other families! And thanks for inviting others to come be with us, too. 
Please continue to reach out to other families and invite them to hang out with us at these fun, family-oriented activities. Our next ministry event is our Wheely Fun Family Picnic on October 8. Mark your calendars and get all your family members' wheels in shape, whether you have bikes, trikes, scooters or skates! Complete details will be available soon.
Transformer Game Night with PrimeLife
We're mixing up the generations for a great Get Together event! Our children from Grades 4 and 5 will join together with senior PrimeLife members for a night of fun and games on Friday, September 16. Complete information is available on the Transformer webpage. Participation is FREE, but reservations are required. .
- Kevin Kramar, Children's Ministry Director
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Worship & Arts Kick Off! | |
Adult Choir resumes Sunday, September 11, 2011. Returning choir members are invited to join us again in the choir room from 8-9am on Sunday mornings.
A reception for choir newcomers will be held on Saturday, September 24 at 6pm in the choir room (in the Worship Center behind the stage). Anyone interested can come, enjoy some hors d'oeuvres, gather information and even audition!
Anyone that is interested in joining the choir, but cannot make it on September 24 will be invited to audition directly after service in the choir room. Auditions will effectively close on Sunday, October 2.
Please contact Leah Henley,lhenley@bethanycc.com, or David Watson, dwatson@bethanycc.com, with any questions.
Attention Musicians! Worship & Arts is always looking for skilled musicians to play with the band for Sunday morning services. If interested, please contact Leah at lhenley@bethanycc.com
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| Upcoming Program & Event Highlights | |
Labor Day Holiday - September 5
Office Will Be Closed
Bethany/Sun Valley Adoption Vote - September 25!
Information at bethanycommunity.com/merger
Monthly Open Elder Board Meeting - September 6
Bethany Family Town Hall - September 11 (Details Soon!)
Project Connect - September 23
Bethany Day of Prayer & Fasting - September 24 (Details Soon!)
Blood Drive - September 25
Adult Ministries
Young Adult Ministries
High School Ministry (HSM)
Mid-Week Programming - September 7, 14, 21 & 28
MSM Movie Night - September 2
Mid-Week Programming - September 7, 14, 21 & 28
Children's Ministries
Birth through Grade 5
Mid-Week Programming - September 7, 14, 21 & 28
Bethany Learning Center (BLC)
Parent Night - September 29
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