Mt. Bethel UMC - November 25, 2012

November 25, 2012

Celebrating Advent

Advent is a season of four weeks including four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. This year, the first Sunday of Advent is December 2. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming." The season proclaims the comings (first and second) of Christ --- whose birth we prepare to celebrate once again who comes continually in Word and Spirit, and whose return in final victory we anticipate. Each year Advent calls the community of faith to prepare for these comings; historically, the season was marked by fasts for preparation. Each Sunday of Advent has its distinct theme. This year during the Season of Advent we will use the theme --- "What are you getting for Christmas?" During this series we want to come together as a community of faith and encounter a new vision of Jesus and who He is. To accomplish this vision, we are going to look at Jesus through the eyes of Isaiah the prophet who gave Israel an idea of who and what the Messiah was to be for the world. In this series of Advent sermons, Isaiah portrays Jesus as Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. This Advent Season will be a great time to rekindle the fire of the Spirit of Christ in each of us and inform our perception of the Heavenly Father in our lives. Join us for the four Sundays of Advent where we will see how the ancient prophet Isaiah saw Jesus in his Spirit given imagination as the promised Messiah. Also each Sunday we will light the Advent Candle that represents the theme of the particular Sunday of the Season. It will be a great time of worship and celebration of God's great gift to humanity --- Jesus, the Christ.

Christmas Trees, Pancakes, and Pictures with Santa | Saturday, December 1- You'll pay at the door for breakfast and pictures, and pick up your previously ordered tree in the Fairfield parking lot. All-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast will be from 8-10am: $5 for adults, $2 for children under 12. Pictures with Santa will be from 9:30am-noon.

Carols for Christmas - " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" | Sunday, December 9 | 4:30 and 7:00pm | Sanctuary

Service of Hope | Monday, December 10 | 7:00pm | Sanctuary

A service for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

Live Nativity | Wednesday, December 19 | 6:00-7:30pm | Sanctuary

Christmas Eve "Eve" Services | Sunday, December 23 | 5:00pm

More information on this special service to come.

Christmas Eve Services | Monday, December 24

3:00pm | Candlelight | Sanctuary

5:00pm | Candlelight | Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall

11:00pm | Candlelight & Communion | Sanctuary

Worship Services

November 25

8:15am Sanctuary - "What Is Truth?" - John 18:33-38 - Rev. Kim McGarr

9:30am God's Garden Worship Service for ages 3 (by 9/1/10) through Pre K - in A35.

9:30am Sanctuary - "Thankful for the Invisible" - 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 - Rev. Carey Akin

11:00am Sanctuary - "Hanging of the Greens" - "What Are You Getting for Christmas?" - by Dr. Randy Mickler

St. Philip UMC - 11:00am Worship Service - "The Invitation" - Luke 2:1-14

- Rev. Jon Ponders

Connect with Us

Our Joys & Concerns

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of our moms, Ken Abrass and Kristi Ziegler, given by Bill & Susan Ziegler.

The Paschal Candle burns in honor of the baptism of Ila Kathleen Hiller, daughter of Patrick & Candace Hiller.

Recently hospitalized: Luke Albano, Howard Cleveland, Frank Coyne, Paul Hurst, Eddie Rogers, Jim Sutton.

We extend Christian sympathy to Ron & Tina Hardee in the loss of Tina's mother, Margaret Thrower; to John, Lisa, Caroline & Andrew Pruitt in the loss of John's mother, Libba Pruitt; to Phillip & Judy White, Brandon, Elizabeth, Jack & Bennett White and Matt, Melissa & Hammond White in the loss of Judy's father, Edward Jones; and to Chad, Carla, Reed, Catherine & John David Williams in the loss of Chad's father, David Williams. May God hold you in the palm of His hand during this time of grief.

We wish to congratulate Dana Mayfield & John Wood who were married in our Sanctuary by Dr. Randy Mickler on November 17, 2012; and Laci Brown & Judson Pelt who were married in Perkins Chapel at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas on November 3, 2012.

Church News

Please visit mtbethel.org for more details about our ministries, programs and events. If you are visiting Mt. Bethel for the first time, please stop by the Visitor Information Booth. There you can find information about Children's Worship, Nursery & Sunday School options. If you wish to become a member or would like to receive our monthly newsletter, please contact our Membership Office at

678-560-7226.

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.

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.

The Career Ministry of Mt. Bethel UMC will meet on Tuesday, November 27 at the Mt. Bethel Community Center (4608 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068). Resume reviews begin at 6:30 p.m. / Presentation at 7:30 p.m. The topic for the evening will be LinkedIn. The number one professional social network is LinkedIn. Your LinkedIn profile is your virtual calling card and online resume; it does more than another single tool to broadcast your employment brand. Use LinkedIn to connect with other professionals, update your status, join groups, and meet people at your target companies. Learn how to build a searchable profile, request recommendations, use the "introductions" feature, and many of LinkedIn's other features to facilitate your job hunt. Learn job seeker best practices, from frequency and type of status updates to developing a recommendation strategy. Enhance your credibility and improve your chance of being found just by improving your use of this single tool. For more information visit http://mtbethel.org/careerministry or contact Kibbie Jones at 678-560-7230 /kibbie.jones@mtbethel.org.

Tuesday Nights Under the Bridges - Join us under the bridges of Atlanta with the 7 Bridges Ministry. Dates are November 27, December 4 & 18. 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 stocking caps, gloves, scarves, etc. 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.

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.

Service of Hope | Monday, December 10 | 7:00pm | Sanctuary

A service for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

Bell and Orchestra Concert | Wednesday, December 12 | 6:30pm Sanctuary

Prime Rib Dinner | Wednesday, December 19 | 4:30-7pm | Fellowship Hall - Tickets go on sale in the Bookstore Sunday, November 25.

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

Christmas Eve "Eve" Services | Sunday, December 23 | 5:00pm

More information on this special service to come.

Christmas Eve Services | Monday, December 24

3:00pm | Candlelight | Sanctuary

5:00pm | Candlelight | Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall

11:00pm | Candlelight & Communion | Sanctuary

Nursery, Preschool & Children's Ministries

Mt. Bethel Day Care Center is now enrolling:

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 Christmas Dinner | Tuesday, November 27 |6:30pm | $35 |The deadline to RSVP is Sunday, November 25. Please call Kim McGarr at 770-652-9913 to RSVP. Menu and details online.

Pep Club Christmas dinner | Tuesday, December 4 | 6-7:30pm | Fellowship Hall | $15 per person. Please RSVP by Tuesday, November 27 to Kim McGarr at kim.mcgarr@mtbethel.org or 770-652-9913. Menu and details online.

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

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:

* 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.

Sunday, November 25

8:15am Worship Service - Sanctuary

9:30am Sunday School

9:30am Worship Service - Sanctuary

9:30am God's Garden - A35

11:00am Worship Service - Hanging of the Greens - Sanctuary

4:00pm Carols Rehearsal - A18

4:00pm Student Choir Rehearsal - A23

Monday, November 26

10:00am Sallie Mae Wilson Circle - B116

5:00-10:00pm Winter Recreation - Gym

7:30pm Boy Scout Troop 1011 - Scout Building

Tuesday, November 27

7:30am Tuesday Morning Breakfast - Gym

9:00am Membership Committee - B112

9:30am Bible Studies

9:30am Mother's Morning Out - D5-8

10:30am Knitting Angels - B109

11:30am Tuesday Lunch - Dining Room

5:00-10:00pm Winter Recreation - Gym

5:30pm Middle School Bells

6:30pm Career Ministry Resume Review & Networking - Community Center

7:00pm McDaniel Handbells - A25

7:00pm Grief Support Group - B106

7:30pm Career Ministry Program - Community Center

Wednesday, November 28

9:30am-12:30pm Corrigan Care Mom's Morning Out for Special Needs Kids - D8

9:30am Adult Bible Studies

10:00am Righteous Bells - A25

11:30am Special Projects Committee - B116

1:00pm Bridge Group - Community Center

4:30pm iPraise/weePraise

4:30-6:45pm Fellowship Dinner - Fellowship Hall

5:00-10:00pm Winter Recreation - Gym

6:00pm 4th & 5th Grade Life Groups - 2nd floor F Building

6:00pm Student Bible Studies - B Hall

6:15pm High School Bells - A25

6:30pm Preschool SPLAT - C14/16

6:30pm SPLAT U Children's Programs - F Basement

6:15pm Celebration Choir Rehearsal - A23

6:30pm Divorce Support Group - H House

6:30pm Grief Support Group - Community Center

7:00pm Orchestra Rehearsal - Sanctuary

7:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal - A18

Thursday, November 29

9:30am Mother's Morning Out - D5-8

9:30am Adult Bible Studies

10:00am Painting Class - Community Center

12:00pm Aloha to Aging Lunch & Learn - Community Center

5:00-10:00pm Winter Recreation - Gym

7:00pm Prayer Ministry - B106

Friday, November 30

6:30am Friday's Faithful - B112

7:00am Charlie Oates Men's Bible Study - Community Center

9:30am Mother's Morning Out - D5-8

5:00-10:00pm Winter Recreation - Gym

6:00pm Special Needs Respite - F001, F002

Saturday, December 1

8:00am-8:00pm Winter Recreation - Gym

8:00-10:00am Pancake Breakfast - Fellowship Hall

8:00-10:00am Tree Pickup - Parking Lot

9:30am-12:00pm Pictures with Santa - Fellowship Hall

10:00am Alcoholics Anonymous - Community Center

10:00am FOCUS Extra Special Respite - Day Care Center