The Pecans are in! The Music Ministry is selling pecans again this year. Purchase fresh or candied pecans from a table in the Connector. All varieties are $10 and sales continue through Christmas.  Call Sandra Chapman at 770-971-2730 to pre-order or ask questions.

Operation Christmas Child - Last year 8.1 million children experienced hope through the power of a simple gift - your gift of a shoe box. You can make a difference this year by filling a box, wrapping it in prayer, and bringing it to the altar for dedication on Sunday, November 18. Flyers with packing information can be found throughout the church and at the table in the connector. You can even print your own packing label through the  Samaritan's Purse website, www.samaritanspurse.org. These shoe boxes open doors for presenting the Good News of Jesus Christ through the distribution of Gospel booklets and follow-up discipleship programs. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, the Christian relief and evangelism ministry led by Franklin Graham.

Tuesday Nights Under the Bridges - Join us under the bridges of Atlanta with the 7 Bridges Ministry. Next date is November 27. We depart Mt. Bethel at 4pm sharp. We eat a burger at US Café then meet our guides at The Garden. There is time for a quick tour for first timers. From The Garden, we head out under the bridges. WE GO RAIN OR SHINE! Dress according to weather & wear comfortable shoes. If led, bring a case of water. To sign up go to www.openingourdoors.com. See the tab, Tuesday Under The Bridges. Select, click to volunteer. Questions, please contact: Ben Hornsby, 678-333-1871, or ben.hornsby@mtbethel.org.

The blessing of the holiday season is upon us and preparing the church for all of the activities to come is always an honor. We will begin the preparation on Sunday November 18 at 1:00pm and Monday, November 19 at 9:00am. We would love to have you join us if for only an hour or more. Help will be needed to hang wreaths, fluff garland and unpack ornaments. Should you have any questions or know that you will be able to help please contact Susan Ziegler at 770-977-9074 or at sziegler@bellsouth.net. We will be meeting in the Sanctuary narthex. Thank you Mt. Bethel!

The annual Thanksgiving Communion Service is Wednesday, November 21, at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. Join us for one of the tradition, yet unique, worship services of the year. This special time of sharing thanks (if one desires) is a great opportunity to experience the warmth of God's love. Invite your visiting family & friends.

On Sunday, November 25, we will have our normal 8:15 & 9:30 morning worship services. Then at 11:00, join us for our "Hanging of the Greens" as we kick off the Advent season. The whole church family is invited to be in the Sanctuary. Bring a  bell with you.  In order for everyone to attend on November 25, there will be: No Sunday School, no Nine29, no children's worship, no Encounter, no breakfast, no God's Garden at 11 (there will be a nursery). A church-wide lunch ($5) will be served in the Fellowship Hall following the "Hanging of the Greens."  Shuttles will run until 1:30pm.

It's time to order your Christmas tree! Our Student Missions will benefit from your order. Trees are on sale online until November 22 (on paper until November 20). Tree pickup will be December 1 from 8-10:00am. We will be happy to deliver your tree to your house for a $30 delivery fee. We will also have a Pancake Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall on December 1.

Pics with Santa is Saturday, December 1, from 9:30-noon in the Fellowship Hall.  Join Children's Ministry as we make ornaments, write a letter to Santa and see Santa! Cost for the pictures is $15.  Make a Christmas memory with the whole family. Each child will receive 3 ornaments to make at no cost and can purchase others for a small fee.

Carols for Christmas: " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas"| 4:30 & 7:00pm | Sunday, December 9 in the Sanctuary - Providing a thought-provoking twist on the theme, "The Night Before Christmas," the concert's music and drama will focus on what individuals' lives are like before Christ is born in their hearts - the night before Christmas for each of us. A cast of 400 singers, instrumentalists, dancers, and storytellers will entertain and inspire audience members with beautiful Christmas music including familiar carols, rousing choruses, and sweet lullabies. Guest soloists including lyric soprano Indra Thomas, bass-baritone Adam Cannedy, and tenor Robert McMichael. 

Live Nativity - Wednesday, December 19, from 6:00-7:30pm in the Sanctuary. Families are invited to participate as the characters; Mary, Joseph, Wisemen, Shepherds, Angels and the star of Bethlehem to stand in the stable as we present the Christmas story that changed the world. We will have 4 rotations(6:00, 6:20, 6:40 and 7:00) with at least 3 families in each rotation beginning at 6:00pm. Children's Ministry will provide the costumes and direct the characters into the stable while the story is read and songs are sung. Please call Dianne Hylton to sign up at 770-971-5074 or email dianne.hylton@mtbethel.org

Nursery, Preschool & Children's Ministries

Mt. Bethel Day Care Center is now enrolling:

Toddlers (16-24 months) for full time childcare; and Children for the Pre-K class

For prices and tour information, please call Dee Stolz at 678-560-8005.

Young Adult Ministry

Every Tuesday Night we have Bible Study from 7 to 9 at Caribou on Johnson's Ferry.  

Active Senior Adults

Grouper's Christmas Party | Tuesday, November 27 | 6:30pm | $35 | home of Chef John Wilson - 10485 Woodstock Rd, Roswell. All singles are invited to join us - even if this is your first Grouper's event, we would love to have you! Our missions emphasis will be Mt. Bethel's Backpack Ministry. Please bring Slim Jim's (Sam's carries them for $16-17 per 100 box) to donate to Mt. Bethel's Backpack Ministry.  RSVP to Kim McGarr by Friday, November 23 - 770-579-9224, ext. 25. Menu - Gorgonzola Custards with French Bread, Pork Loin Stuffed with Herbs and Garlic, Roasted Cauliflower topped with Lemon and Olives, Parmesan Whipped Potatoes, & Individual Chocolate Soufflés with Whipped Cream.

Pep Club Christmas Dinner | Tuesday, December 4 | 6:00-7:30pm | Mt. Bethel Fellowship Hall | $15 payable at the door. Please RSVP by Tuesday, November 27 to Kim McGarr at 770-579-9224, ext. 25.

Advent Mission Opportunities

Angel Tree runs through December 2. The "Angels" represent gift requests of  children in foster care and adults who are being assisted by the Department of Family and Children Services. Trees are located in the connector hallway, the Academy lobby and the nursery hallway. Please pick up your Angels and spread the spirit of Christmas to the least and the lost.

What is the best way to catch the "Christmas spirit"? Be in service to others. The West Virginia ministry will send a team of 15 to Welch, West Virginia on December 6 to help with a Christmas event that will serve over 400 members of this poverty-stricken community. Local residents who attend will enjoy a Christmas pageant, a hot lunch and a box of food for their Christmas dinner. Children will select gifts--some of which will be donated by Mt. Bethel Sunday school classes and other small groups. Please contact Larry Armstrong--larryarmstrong1@gmail.com for more information. You will be blessed. "If you want to see God, walk among the broken and the beaten, the unattractive and forgotten--there you will see Him".

Atlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency (ACSS) is having their annual Christmas dinner

for their homeless clients. ACSS appreciates your donations in past years and

humbly asks Mt. Bethel members if they would make a donation this year selecting

the items listed below for the homeless gift bags that will be given to our homeless

friends at their Christmas dinner.  Note: an ACSS "Christmas box" will be located at Mt. Bethel receptionist's desk for your donations - and will be available to drop them off (unwrapped) through Sunday, December 9. Gift bag items needed are:

Men: 

                * Gloves (warm work gloves - mostly large, some medium)

                * Underwear (briefs or boxers -large 36-38; some extra large (40-42)

                * Caps (knit, fits any size)

Women:

                * Gloves - (warm; large and extra large)

                * Underwear - (large and extra large)

                * Cap/Hats - knit

For more information, please contact Sam Smith at 770-565-8233 or samcatfish@bellsouth.net.

Special Needs Ministry

Special Needs Respite Night, Friday, November 30, from 6:00-9:00pm. Please register by Friday, November 16, to kim.mcgarr@mtbethel.org or 770-579-9224, ext.  25. First-time participants will need to fill out a registration form. You can bring your dinner or eat before coming, we will provide water and a snack.  (pretzels or graham crackers)  If you require a special diet, please provide your own dinner and/or snack. Siblings welcome!

Volunteers needed for Special Needs Ministry - looking for Adult and teen volunteers who could commit an hour at least once a month to our Sunday morning Special Needs classroom - F-002. F-002 provides a place for our Special needs children and young adults to come and interact through games, crafts and relationships.  We share the love of Christ by providing a safe and encouraging environment where we practice Christian hospitality to our participants and their families. Volunteers also needed for our Special needs Respite - next one is Friday, November 30.

Georgia Special Olympics Winter Games | January 25-27 - Venues all over Cobb County. This is a great way to serve as a family!  Come volunteer and support the amazing athletes.  Contact Kim McGarr for volunteers forms and questions.

Recreation Ministry

Temporary Change in CAC Hours of Operation:  November 19-25

*             Monday/Tuesday,  Nov. 19-20: 8:00am-7:30pm

*             Wednesday, Nov. 21: 8:00am-12:00pm

*             Thursday - Sunday, Nov. 22-25:  CLOSED

2012/13 Youth Winter Basketball: Practices are underway. Opening day games are scheduled for November 30 and December 1.  Coaches or team coordinators will be asking for a small donation for our Winter missions project.  Each team is asked to give a $30 gift card to Walmart or Target for children in local children's homes.  Gift cards allow them to choose the right size and preferred style.  It also allows them to purchase items with their own funds, a privilege many of them have not experienced.

Chair Massage:  Wednesdays from 8:30am-12:00pm in the CAC, Will Graham of "Unseen Touch" is giving relaxing chair massages for $1 per minute - no limit.  Stop by or call 770-971-5280 to schedule your time.

Recreation Facebook: Join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MtBethelRec. We have posted Fall Sports pictures.

Fitness: Join us for one of our many fitness classes. Now offering Barre Class ($6/class). Go to www.mtbethel.org/fitness for complete schedule and pricing.

Aloha to Aging

Alzheimer's/Caregiver Support Group Meeting: Monday, December 3, at 10:30 a.m. Open to family members who are assisting an aging loved one both inside and outside of the home. Free respite care is provided for your loved one while we meet, but must call in advance to 678-439-1177.

Parkinson's Disease Support Group: Tuesday, December 4, at 10:30am. Have you or a loved one been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's?  You are not alone. You and your caregiver are welcome as we share coping strategies and helpful tips and resources. Starting January we will provide education and opportunity for support meeting for those diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Growing Through Grief: Monday, December 10, at 2:30pm. Creating new holiday memories: Come experience an uplifting and interactive approach game show style. Join Sandra Karem of Crossroads Hospice as she shares an engaging program focused on strategies for growing through the grief of losing a spouse or elder loved one. Whether your grief is new or experienced, this program is for you. Please RSVP to 678-439-1177. Meeting held at Aloha To Aging, Inc. 4608 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30068.

Part-time position available at Aloha To Aging, Inc.: Administrative Assistant: Computer savvy, self starter, able to organize and manage self with little to no oversight. Must be a good communicator and have problem solving and people skills necessary for front line and answering phone calls. Responsible for website management, marketing materials and social media. Willing to train in the web management and social media areas, but must currently have enough computer proficiency and skill set to learn quickly. Must be able to cover office Tuesdays 9:30am- 4:00pm. Competitive hourly wage. Please no phone calls. If interested email resume to info@alohatoaging.org. Position available 11/19/12.

Aloha Day Club:  Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 10:30am - 2:00pm. Our dedicated staff (professional & volunteer) provide a stimulating, social and therapeutic program for seniors 55+. Program includes snack, lunch, music, exercise and interactive activities. Wondering why we have such a fun day? Don't wait until it's too late...call Aloha To Aging, Inc. at 678-439-1177. Now with 2 locations.