Mt. Bethel UMC

 

 March 30, 2014

 

 

Is This the Year?

 

It happens every year. I talk with someone who has returned from a mission trip, and they are on fire for God. The story is always unique and yet always the same. It goes something like this, "I had been thinking about going on a missions trip for several years but...(I've been too busy, I didn't think I could afford it, my kids are little, I'm too old, I am a little fearful, I don't have much to offer, I'm not spiritual enough, I have never left the country, etc.).

 

But then I hear something like this, "I prayed about it and decided this is the year." Some of those who decide are anxious, some are overjoyed, and most are a mix of emotions. But each of them made a decision with God's prompting to go! 

 

They pray, they prepare, and then they step outside of the box or maybe the bubble. As the missions pastor, it is my joy to pray for each and every one of them, and for a number of them, I have the great joy of getting to share in their experience. To me there is nothing better than getting to experience missions alongside someone who is going for the very first time. It often reminds me of being around a new believer when they discover the wonder of God's grace and the joy of serving Him.

 

A lot of us here at Mt. Bethel lost a dear friend this past week, Ed Strickland. I didn't ever have a chance to spend much time with him. He was usually traveling around the world for his business or spending the time he had at home with his family, but we did get to share in one of those first time experiences to Kenya.  He was truly like a kid in a candy shop - smiling and waving at everyone who would wave back along the road and learning phrases in Swahili, so he could talk with the people. He shared with some of the Kenyan leaders about how God had blessed him as he treated others using the golden rule and encouraged them to do the same. I have seen it many times before but never with any more joy than Ed and his infectious love for life and others. I am so thankful for those memories and thankful for the impact it had on my life, on Ed's life, and on the lives of so many others. 

 

As you read this, I would like to ask you just one favor - that you would pray about if this might be the year that God has in mind for you to go on a mission trip. I want to be very clear; this is not an advertisement for missions, rather this is simply a call to prayer. I have no hesitation in asking you to pray about this because of what I know.

 

I know that there are so many who have become so much closer to God because they said yes. I know that there are hurting and lost people around the world who God is calling us to reach out to. I know that when we step out in faith and step outside of our comfort zone, it is at just that moment God begins to do more than you could have ever expected or imagined.

 

Most of all, I know my own story, that God has used missions powerfully in my life, and I can't help but want my dear friends and family to share in it.

 

Carey Akin

Pastor of Missions

                                                 

Worship Services  

 

Worship Services - March 23

 

8:15am Chapel - "What Do You Want Me To Do For You?" - Third in Series: "Questions God Asks" - Mark 10:51 - Rev. Glenn Ray 

 

9:30am & 11:00am Sanctuary - "What Do You Want Me To Do For You?" - Third in Series: "Questions God Asks" - Mark 10:46-52 - Dr. Carey Akin

 

11:00am Contemporary Service - "What Do You Want Me To Do For You?" - Third in Series: "Questions God Asks" - Mark 10:51 - Rev. Steven Brumbeloe

 

11:00am Kid Quest Children's Worship for K-2nd Graders in F015 - "All the Small Things" - Luke 19:1-10

 

11:00am The P.O.D. Children's Worship for 3rd to 5th Graders in F011 - "Questions God Asks" - Part Three - "What Do You Want Me To Do For You?" - Mark 10:46-52

 

11:00am Worship Service St. Philip UMC - "Worthy" - Isaiah 6:5 - Gabe Barrett

 

Our Joys & Concerns

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in celebration of the marriage of Kathryn Lynn and Eli O'Quinn, on March 29, 2014, by Ed & Lyn Lynn. 

 

The rosebud on the altar is in honor of the birth of Charlotte Marie Dolvin, daughter of Chris & Kelly Dolvin and granddaughter of Lianne Driver, on March 15, 2014.

 

The Paschal Candle burns in honor of the life of Ed Strickland, now living in the Father's House. The Paschal Candle also burns in honor of the baptism of Norah Evelyn Thomas, daughter of Brandon & Gerrie Thomas.

 

Recently hospitalized: Jerry Seling, Lynn Strickland, Ashton Unruh, Frank Zimmerman. 

 

We extend Christian sympathy to Julian & Jackie Brackman in the loss of Jackie's mother, Wanda Reaves;Ward, Mary Catherine, Robert, Catherine & John Council in the loss of Mary Catherine's father, Dr. Toof Boone; Evelyn Oates in the loss of her brother, Dr. Durward Entrekin; Ben, Christine, Alex, Townshend & Timothy Phelps in the loss of Christine's mother, Patricia W. Cyphers; Joann St. Clair, Dean, Carla & Cayla St. Clair and Steve, Linda, Dena, Drew & Abby Wood in the loss of Joann's brother, David Vernon Douglass; Lynn Strickland, Joe, Dara, Brayden & Davin Springfield and Josh, Erika & Ashton Unruh in the loss of Lynn's husband, Ed Strickland;George & Sue Stone in the loss of Sue's father, Julian Ballard;

Steve, Annette, Andrew, Caroline & William Morrison and John, Elaine, Taylor & Ansley Orgeron in the loss of Annette and Elaine's mother, Leola Collins Thomas. May God hold you in the palm of His hand during this time of grief.  

 

Weekend Minister on call - 770-354-5433  

 

Our Faithfulness

 

Offerings last week $158,816

Offerings this fiscal year $2,281,845

Offerings needed to date $2,140,708

Mt. Bethel Membership 9,296

 

 

From the Blog and Photo Gallery




Confirmation 2014
Here's a look at our future and our newest members! [View Pictures]





Another Great Day
Thank you Mt. Bethel GDS Teams!

 

 

 

Opening My Eyes and My Heart

by Grace Thackston

Eight years ago, incarceration was something I rarely if ever thought about. And the lives of those affected by it was certainly something I never thought about-the men and women in prison for just and unjust reasons, as well as the families broken apart by prison sentences. [Read More]

 

Catch the Spirit

 

Last week at the women's dinner, we shared some big news!  Check out this video to learn a little bit more:

Women's Ministry Rooted Conference
Women's Ministry Rooted Conference
 

 

 

Returning to the Windy Forest - My Lenten Commitment

by Johnna Bain

When I was a young girl and into my teenage years, I would take the time to write poems, short stories, and essays. I remember doing most of my writing while spending my summers with my Grandparents on their farm. [Read More] 


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  Upcoming Events

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to get your Passover Seder Meal tickets.

 

 

Palm Sunday & Jerusalem Market | Sunday, April 13

Seder Meal | Thursday, April 17

Good Friday Service | Friday, April 18

Tenebrae Service | Friday, April 18

Easter Egg Hunt | Saturday, April 19

 

Nursery for children ages five and under is available for all activities and services with the exception of Good Friday and the Egg Hunt. Nursery reservations are required. 

 

 

 Easter Sunday | Sunday, April 20

7:00am | Sunrise Service
7:30am | Breakfast
9:00am | Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall

11:00am | Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall

No Sunday School. Nursery is provided for all services, except for the Sunrise Service. There will be God's Garden in A35 for the 9:00 and 11am services. Children must be three by September 1, 2013 to attend-4K. 

Special Needs Sunday School will meet at 11am only.

  

Attention Men!

Good Friday Morning Men's Breakfast 

April 20 | 7:30am | Paper Mill Grill

Breakfast will be served from a buffet. There will be two omelet stations, grits, home fries, etc. Space is limited to 50, so don't wait. Register online. Questions? Contact Ben Hornsby at 678-333-1871. 



Coming This Fall! 

Rooted Women's Conference

October 24-25 | Mt. Bethel UMC
Our guest speaker will be Lysa TerKeurst, a New York Times bestselling author and speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has led thousands to make their walk with God an invigorating journey.

 

 

Announcements  

 

 

The Special Needs Ministry will have class at 

9:30am only this Sunday, March 30.

    

No Wednesday night dinner on April 2 due to Spring Break. 

See you next week!

  

  

Please go to Caring Bridge for updates on Lynn Strickland and her grandson, Ashton. If you would like to help with meals for Lynn's daughters and their families, please sign up here.

 
Easter Lilies | $12/plant | Deadline is April 8
Easter Lilies will be used to decorate the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall for Easter Sunday, April 20. If you would like to honor or remember someone in this way, please register online.

 

The Spirit of America Concert 2014 is May 18 at 5pm! Join us for a very special time together as we reflect back to the 1940's Big Band era and the days of the USO Show. We are actively recruiting "seasonal singers" to come join us immediately after Spring Break for a five-week commitment of Wednesday evening and/or Sunday afternoon rehearsals. Won't you consider being a part of this thrilling community event? Call or email Sandra Chapman to get on the roster. You'll be richly rewarded by your participation!

 

Sign up for Preschool Summer Camps

Mt. Bethel Christian Preschool has lined up an exciting slate of camps for 2014 to help your children learn, grow, and have lots of fun this summer. For more information and registration forms, see the Summer Camps section of the Preschool website. Spaces are limited, so sign up now!

 

Mt. Bethel Children's Consignment Sale Disbursement

Go here to apply for disbursement from the consignment sale.

 

 
Children's Ministry Summer Activities

 

CHARGE! Retreat | May 3-4 | Camp Lee | 4th & 5th Graders & Parents

 

June VBS | June 9-12 | 12:30-3:30pm

 

Family VBS | July 13, 14 & 15 | 6-8:30pm

 

 

Rev. Steven Brumbeloe will begin a new six-week Pastor's Bible Study 

Luke: The Journey - Join Rev. Steven Brumbeloe as he covers the journey Jesus takes to Jerusalem. Participate  with Jesus and the conversations he had along the way. This study will focus on the parables from Luke's gospel and will begin Wednesday, April 9, 10-11:30am, A18.

 

Mt. Bethel Christian Academy Marietta 

Mt. Bethel Christian Academy is accepting applications for the next school year - and now enrolling 9th grade students for August 2014 at their Upper School campus at 2509 Post Oak Tritt Road. Join us any Wednesday at 10am for a school tour. Questions? Call 770-971-0245 or email Jackie Grasty.

 


Mt. Bethel Student Ministry You won't believe what all is happening this summer for students!
It all begins with the last day of school cookout. Go online today to register for our many retreats and activities!

Seniors - Remember to register for Baccalaureate Sunday!

Summer Internship Program
Mt. Bethel offers paid summer internships working with children's, student, and college ministries. If you are interested in applying, please submit an application. For more information, contact Gaylyn.

 

 

The Mt. Bethel Nursery will be closed on Sunday evening, March 30, and Wednesday evening, April 2, during Spring Break. Regular Sunday evening activities will resume the following Sunday, April 6. If you have any questions, please call the Nursery office at 770-971-2588.

 

The Mt. Bethel Nursery is looking for a nursery staff member with a heart for teaching children. If you feel called to teach children ages birth to two years old on Sunday mornings and assist with diapering, feeding, and care, during Sunday morning services, please contact Debbie Ruth. This is a paid position.

  

Mt. Bethel Day Care Center is now hiring part-time employees to work in the afternoons. If you are 18 years old and have childcare experience please contact Dee Stolz: 678-560-8005.

  

Donations needed for CHARGE! Retreat

We need empty baby food jars, bags of men's white t-shirts (size S and M), and boxes of Crayola crayons (name brand important). Please drop donations off with Sherri Juliani in the Children's Ministry Department.

 

Catechesis registration is now open for the school year 2014-2015. It is first come, first served.  Returning children and incoming siblings of existing families do take priority and must also be re-registered. We only have some spots for new children, so if your child is three by September and is potty trained, you may enroll him/her in Catechesis. Regular attendance is required. Contact Betsy Brown in case of questions.

 

MUST Volunteers Needed

MUST annually helps nearly 30,000 people, providing emergency food and baked goods, free clothing, and job assistance; nearly 6,000 children with clothes, summer lunches, school supplies, and gifts; over 2,000 people with emergency and transitional housing, while serving nearly 70,000 hot meals and providing access to medical care for hundreds of people. Please contact Daniel if you are able to serve on any of the following dates or to be added to the list for future opportunities. If you have not served at MUST before instruction will be provided.

Located at Elizabeth Inn, 55 Elizabeth Church Road, Marietta

Must Wear:  April 21 - 9:30am - 12:00pm 

MUST Laundry:  April 5, 11 & 29 - 6:30-10:30pm

 

Camp Hope 2014 | May 24-30

We need both teen and adult volunteers. Volunteer Counselor applications are available online. For more information on volunteering and upcoming information sessions, e-mail Christina Graff.

  

Aloha to Aging

Alzheimer's/Caregiver Support Group | Monday, April 7 | 10:30am

Open to family members who are assisting an aging loved one both inside and outside of the home. Helpful tips and resources provide comfort and encouragement. Free respite care is provided for your loved one while we meet, but must call in advance for care to 678-439-1177 or email info@alohatoaging.org. Meeting held at Aloha To Aging, Inc. 4608 Lower Roswell Rd. Marietta, GA 30068.

Go online for all of our monthly activities.

 

 


This Week's Schedule:  

  

Sunday, March 30

7:30-9:30am Fellowship Breakfast - Fellowship Hall

8:15am Worship Service - Chapel

9:30am Sunday School

9:30am God's Garden - A35

9:30am Worship Service - Sanctuary

11:00am Worship Service - Sanctuary

11:00am Contemporary Worship - Fellowship Hall

11:00am - Kid Quest (K-2nd Grade) - F015

11:00am - The POD (3-5th Grade) - F011

11:00am God's Garden - A35

11:00am Sunday School

5:00pm Project 82 Mission Trip Meeting - H House

8:30pm Men's Basketball - Gym

  

Monday, March 31

  

Tuesday, April 1

9:00am Membership Committee - B112

10:30am Knitting Angels - B109

6:00pm Back Pack Ministry Meeting - B118

7:00pm Ruth Young Women's Cancer Support Group - Community Center

  

Wednesday, April 2

1:00pm Bridge Group - Community Center

4:30pm Knitting Angels - B109

6:30pm Adult Bible Studies

6:30pm Grief Support Group - B106

6:30pm Honduras Mission Team Meeting - B111

6:30pm Divorce Support Group - H House

  

Thursday, April 3

9:30am Quilting for Christ - F001

10:00am Spring Art Class - Community Center

7:00pm Prayer Ministry - B106

  

Friday, April 4

  

Saturday, April 5

10:00am Alcoholics Anonymous - Community Center

6:00pm Contemporary SS Class Game Night - Community Center

 

 

We also have many Bible Studies and Sunday School classes each week. To find the one that's right for you, visit our website.