Continuing to Make a Difference.  So far this year, over 100 Adults have joined Mt Bethel on profession of faith. 100! That is an amazing number. 100 people have committed their lives to follow Jesus Christ. In the secular world in which we live, that is an inspiring number. Mt Bethel is making a difference in the lives of people and bringing them into relationship with Jesus and making disciples; that is what we do! That is what we are about.

So far this year, over 100 adults have joined Mt. Bethel on profession of faith -100! That is an amazing number. One hundred people have committed their lives to follow Jesus Christ. In the secular world in which we live, that is an inspiring number. Mt. Bethel is making a difference in the lives of people and bringing them into relationship with Jesus and making disciples; that is what we do! That is what we are about. We are now in the fifth week of our stewardship season. You can see by the graph that we are making progress toward our goal of $10,000,000. So far, 1,089 Individuals and families have turned in their commitment cards. We cannot be content; we can't pat ourselves on the back. We must follow God's vision for Mt. Bethel. Pray for God's guidance and strength to make a faith commitment. Remember the 100 lives that have been changed and the countless other lives that are waiting to be brought to Jesus. Mt. Bethel must continue its outreach. Join us!  Return your commitment card or email us today!

End-of-the-Year Giving: Please remember, for income tax purposes, charitable contributions must be claimed in the year they are delivered.  One exception is a check mailed to Mt. Bethel: it is deductible in the year the check is mailed (postmarked), even if it is received early in the next year. Also remember, if you plan to drop off end-of-year contributions, the church offices will be closed on December 24, 25 & 26. If you would like to donate stock or other securities to Mt. Bethel, please go to www.mtbethel.org, click on the GIVE button and follow the prompts. There, you will find a form to use for transferring stock to Mt. Bethel . . . just fill it out and give to your account representative for your stock/securities transfers. Then just e-mail  sharon.wyland@mtbethel.org, or call 678-560-7462, to let Sharon know the name & amount of the stock you are transferring to Mt. Bethel.  To take IRS deductions for securities donations, please make sure these donations are made at least ten days prior to the end of the year.  Questions, please call Sharon Wyland at 678-560-7462.

Our Mike Sappington Helping Hand Fund can use a "helping hand."  This special fund aids families in financial  distress.  Thus far in 2013, Mt. Bethel has provided $83,000 in help for medical bills, utilities, and rent.

MUST Toy Shop: Christmas morning is exciting for the 4,500+ children from Cobb and Cherokee counties whose families shop at the MUST Toy Shop.  The Discovery SS Class will be collecting NEW unwrapped toys and gifts in the collection bins at the MB front office.  Donations suggestions are jewelry, sports equipment, make-up, dolls, clothing, and games. Items for teens are especially in high demand. Thank you in advance for your donation and making this Christmas a little brighter for someone else!  Deadline is December 18. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Christie DeDona at  dcrdedona@gmail.com or 770-316-8161.

Pics with Santa is Saturday, December 7, from 9:30-Noon in the Fellowship Hall.  Join us for pancakes and crafts while you wait to get your picture with Santa. Santa will be seeing children from 9:30 until noon. Each family will sign in at the table for a number, then we will have plenty to do while you wait - Christmas ornaments, garland, painting, coloring pages and even breakfast. Please contact Dianne Hylton at  dianne.hylton@mtbethel.org if you have any questions.

Career Ministry Meeting | Tuesday, December 10  | Mt. Bethel Community Center | 6:30-8:00pm | MB Community Center (4608 Lower Roswell Road near the corner of Woodlawn Drive)

Career Counseling & Resume Review. Experienced Human Resources professionals give one-on-one attention to each job seeker and will cover any topic which relates to job search strategy. Depending on each person's individual needs we will discuss employment branding/resume, using technology (job boards), LinkedIn, interviewing tips and any other relevant topics. Registration is recommended but not required. Go online for more information and to register or contact Kibbie Jones - 678-560-7230

Pecans are in!  All Varieties only $10 per bag. They will be sold outside the Music Office on Sundays between services, outside the Fellowship Hall during Wednesday night supper, and in the music office during office hours Mondays - Thursdays. For more information, contact  sandra.chapman@mtbethel.org

For Parents of Infants and Young Children

The Mt. Bethel Nursery is sponsoring a CPR/ First Aid Class on Sunday, January 12, at 12:30 pm. The cost is $10 to cover your Red Cross card. Nursery will be provided free of charge. If you would like to join the class, contact Debbie Ruth at 770-971-2588 or Evelyn Bosher at 678-560-7285.  Nursery reservations and class reservations will be accepted through Wednesday, January 8. Space is limited to 25 participants.  If we have a lot of interest, we will open a second class in the coming months. We hope you can join us to learn these vital life-saving techniques.

The Special Project Committee | Wednesdays | 11:00am | B116

December 11 Project Mail Call

December 18  Christmas Covered Dish

December 25  No meeting

The Diane Mickler Circle will meet Monday, December 9, at 11:15 behind the "H" House to car pool to Diane Mickler's home for our covered dish Christmas luncheon. If you would like more information, please call Louise Hansen at 770-394-9225.

The Dorothy Summerour Circle will meet Wednesday, December 11 at the home of Tina Thomas, 3622 Sope Creek Farm, 770-984-2549. We will have a covered dish luncheon and gift exchange.  Bring a dish to share, unwrapped gift for Must Ministries and a gift wrapped in brown bag for our gift exchange. For more information please call Johnnie Gay Hunsucker at 770-971-4122 or Diana Shelton 770-777-4974.

Women's Retreat - Have you ever had trouble understanding how the Old Testament connects to the New Testament? Have you ever wondered how the Old Testament is relevant to your daily walk with Jesus Christ?  If so, this year's Women's Retreat is the place for you.  Whether you've been before or not, you don't want to miss it!   Join us at Callaway Gardens, January 24-26. Go online for more information or to register.

Mt. Bethel Day Care is now hiring for full-time and part-time positions.  Part time position hours are 3-6pm. If you are interested in a position working with young children, please contact Dee Stolz.

Golf Anyone? Dust your clubs off and join us for the inaugural Mt. Bethel Christian Academy 8th grade DC trip fund raising golf tournament!! The tournament will take place at Indian Hills Country Club on "Saint Patrick's Day" Monday, March 17. We need a minimum of 48 participants to make this happen.  Please email James Gray if you are interested, Friends and family are welcome! Save the date and join us to help our 8th graders have a great DC trip! 

ADVENT AT MT. BETHEL

During the Advent season, Mt. Bethel offers various services and activities to help enhance your Christmas experience. We hope you'll join us for all of the events as we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Carols for Christmas: Somewhere in My Memory | Friday, December 6, 7:30pm & Sunday, December 8, 4:30pm | Sanctuary | Free Admission 

This concert will feature much-loved Christmas movies that lead listeners on a journey through memories of Christmases past.

Pancakes/Pics with Santa/Tree Pick-up | Saturday, December 7

Pancake Breakfast | 8am-12pm | Fellowship Hall | $5/adult & $2/child (12 and under)

Christmas tree Pick-up | 8-10am | Church Parking Lot | Pre-order trees here

Pictures with Santa & Ornament-Making | 9:30am-12pm | $15 sitting fee and digital image rights

Christmas Traditions - Wednesday, December 18

Begin this evening with an elegant and delicious prime rib dinner followed by a concert with the Mt. Bethel Orchestra, Handbells, and piano/organ duets featuring Chuck Newman and Ira Pittman. During the evening, a live Nativity will be on display in the church parking lot.

• Prime Rib Dinner | 4:30-7pm | FH | $7 for Adults; $4 for Children (ages 4-10); $1.50 (ages 3 and under) Buy tickets online or in the church bookstore.
• A Christmas Tapestry Musical Concert | 7pm | Sanctuary
• Live Nativity | 5:30pm, 6:30, 8:15 | Church parking lot. Cookies and Hot Chocolate will be served.

Special Christmas Service | Sunday, December 22 | 5pm | Sanctuary | Communion & Candlelight - To our Mt. Bethel family: Please consider joining us at this service (December 22), so we can provide space for visitors on the 24th. This will be the same special service as the ones we will have on December 24.

Christmas Eve Services | Tuesday, December 24

3pm | Sanctuary | Candlelight | Nursery

5pm | Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall | Candlelight | Nursery

8pm | Sanctuary | Communion & Candlelight | Sanctuary - no Nursery

11pm | Sanctuary | Communion & Candlelight | Sanctuary - no Nursery

Thank you note from Susan Ziegler, Worship Chairman - One of the greatest blessings that we can receive at this special time of year is the opportunity to prepare God's house for the upcoming Advent Season and the birth of His son. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the wonderful Mt. Bethel members and our Maintenance folks that gave up their Friday after Thanksgiving to decorate the church. Instead of shopping or resting they came early, some with children, and worked diligently to unpack, fluff, and place all of the beautiful decorations from the Sanctuary to the Chapel to the doors. There was no doubt that the beauty was experienced when one entered for services on Sunday. Thank you all for blessing us with your time, talent, gifts, and service. 

Recreation Ministry - Follow us on Facebook!

Youth Basketball

Opening weekend is December 6-8. Coaches and Team Coordinators remember to bring your teams gift card for the missions donation to your 1st game.    

Youth Spring Sports

Now registering: boys and girls soccer-grades PreK-6; boys flag football-grades 1-7; boys baseball-grades K-3; girls softball-grades K-5; girls volleyball-grades 4-8; Co-ed T-ball-PreK. PreK must turn four years old by March 1, 2014. 

Fitness

We offer classes in boot camp, barre, Zumba, body sculpting, weights, cardio, yoga, pilates and more. Body Sculpting on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:00. We have great instructors and lots of fun. Go to mtbethel.org/fitness for class schedule and prices. We also have available by appointment a personal trainer who can get you started or keep you moving in the right direction.  For more information, call the Recreation Department at 770-971-5280. 

Chair Massage

Wednesdays from 9:00 -12:00 in the CAC, Will Graham of "The Unseen Touch" is giving relaxing chair massages for $1 per minute-No limit. Stop by or call 770-971-5280 to schedule your time.  

Aloha To Aging

Monthly Education:

Caregiver Tips for de-stressing the Holidays | Monday, December 9 | 10:30am

Free respite care is provided for your loved one while we meet by reservation.

Healthy Brain Game Day | Thursday, December 19 | 11:30 am

A healthy lunch will be served and multiple brain building games and prizes. RSVP by December, 17. Cost is $15.

Becoming a Program Volunteer

Want to do something that is satisfying and of great service to your community? Volunteers are needed for weekly or monthly commitments. For more information, call Nancy Ptashnik, program coordinator at 678-439-1177.

Aloha To Aging is offering high school service hours. In exchange for activities that will benefit the community, Aloha To Aging is offering service hours. Call today to sign up or for more information: Nancy Ptashnik, program coordinator at 678-439-1177.

Aloha Day Club:

Mondays and Wednesdays 10:30am-2:00pm. Our dedicated staff (professional and volunteer) provide a stimulating, social and therapeutic program for seniors 55+. Program includes snack, lunch, music, exercise and interactive activities.