Bethany Community Church, 201 Birch Avenue, Grandview, Washington—September , 2015

A Note from Pastor Mike

God Given Gifts

As the new school year begins we look forward to another year of ministry in our church.

September and October are busy months. Sunday school and Children’s Church resume

on September 13; Wednesday evening potluck, Bible study, and youth group are starting

soon, and some groups that have taken the summer off will start meeting again.

Additionally, several building projects are being planned. All of these activities require

planning, preparation, and leadership and are an opportunity for you to use your gifts for

the glory of God. We plan to have several more youth in our Sunday school classes and at

our youth group meetings, so we need a lot of help. We encourage everyone to get

involved in any way you can.

Each of us have received gifts from God and are called to serve the Lord with the

resources of time, talents, and money that God has entrusted to us. Jesus spoke much

about stewardship in his ministry. Maybe this was because he knew that “where your

treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

The Old Testament indicates that we are to give the first tithe of our resources to God. In

fact it goes further in declaring that failing to do so is robbing God! “Will anyone rob

God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In your tithes and

offerings! Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house,

and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of

heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” Malachi 4:8-10.

Jesus put the whole matter less specifically, but no less pointedly: “From everyone to

whom much has been given, much will be required…” Luke 12:48. The Apostle Paul

summed up the matter very well: “The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also

reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you

must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God

loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.

The members of our church are very generous and we are doing well financially; but we

could always use more teachers, helpers, and ministry team members. What you give

and whether or not you choose to get involved is between you and God. I encourage you

to consider Scripture and to challenge yourself to allow your time, talents, and money to

make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom through Bethany Community Church. May

God bless and guide you as you consider how you can help.

Blessings,

Mike

Worship Assistants for the month of September, 2015

Indoor Greeters 9/6 Ted &Ardith Carratt 9/13 Tim & Robin Smith 9/20 Joanie Bertram & Maxine Ballinger 9/27 Jim & Judy Rice

Communion Servers 9/6 Dave & Maxine Ballinger, David Skinner David Rider

Communion Servers

5/4 Alix Carlson, Janet

White, Kathy Ellertson

& Jean Eakin

Ushers

9/6 Maxine Ballinger,

9/13 Alix Carlson &

Kathy Ellertson

9/20 Ardith Carratt &

Bev Rider

9/27 Jean Eakin &

Mark Longfellow

Lay Assistants

9/6 Kathy Ellertson

9/13 Maxine Ballinger

9/20 Janet White

9/27 Sue Johnson

Head Usher

Dave Ballinger

Communion Servers

8/2/15 Nancy Kragt, Kathy Ellertson,

Dave Ballinger, Alix Carlson

Edie Graf

Children’s Church

9/13 Polly McKinney

9/20 Edie Graf

9/27 Lorri G-Dillman

Extra Mile Student Center

Extra Mile Student Center will reopen as soon as

possible. According to the building owner, most

of the fire damage will be covered by their

insurance. However, we know that there will be

additional needs that will arise.

We ask your prayers for wisdom and guidance.

Anyone wishing to donate can go to

“gofundme.com/aw2pahqs” to make a donation.

In Memorium

Bettie Ferguson, a longtime Grandview resident

and member of the Bethany, passed away on

August 18, 2015, in Boise, Idaho. Bettie is

remembered here at Bethany for her work in

obtaining our grand piano and for serving as the

first Chairman of the Bethany Scholarship

Committee. She will be missed and remembered

by many.

Friday, September11, will be at the church with

hosts, Marv and Nancy Kragt at 6:30 p.m. Bring

your assigned food. Thanks.

MISSIONS

Life Options

We have given 14 Baby Bottles to Life

Options which totaled $18.00. The total

amount given so far this year is $183.84.If

anyone still has a baby bottle at home; please

bring it to the church.

”

Many Thanks would like to thank all those

who contributed to my “yard fund”. This was a

wonderful idea for a memorial to my mother,

Barbara. She was able to enjoy the new house the

final eight months of her life and loved having the

space to display her antiques. The new yard is

making steady progress and when it is finished it

will be a constant reminder to all of us of my

mother. Thank you again.

David Skinner

June 8, 24

Pentecost Sunday

Global Day of Prayer

All-City Service: 4:00 p.m.

Eastside Park

MANY THANKS--Many, many thanks to all of

our members for giving of their time and talent.

Session and Deacon members give a lot of time.

Little jobs sometimes do not get noticed, like

refilling the children’s bags. Thank you, Polly

McKinney for taking on that job. Thanks, also, to

Pat Boswell and Ardith Carratt for filling the pew

racks. A big thank you to David Rider and Richard

Shenyer for being here to run the sound system

every Sunday.. AND thanks to Praise Team

members for faithfully leading us in singing praises

to the Lord: David, Jean, Gretchen, Dorothy,

Beverly, Joanie, Diane, and a new singer, Linda

Livingston.

Dear Bethany Family,

Thank you VERY Much for the coffee hour for my retirement from the Financial Secretary’s job. What an honor. I really felt like “Queen for a day!!!”

Thanks to the Deacons for the lovely coffee hour. The Trustees & Session went above & beyond with the planting of my patio flower pots. Also, I now have my very own Offering Plate. (with a thank you on the back) What a unique gift! It brings back many happy memories. Thanks to all & to the congregation for the support you have given me

Operation Christmas Child... …Emphasizes the power of prayer as each person who sends a shoe box gift depends on God to work a miracle through this simple act of kindness.

…Is a great family activity!

…Brings the whole church family together!

…Teaches children to think globally, but also parti- cipate personally by sending a gift to another child.

NOW IS THE TIME TO PURCHASE SUMMER ITEMS-Tee-shirts, shorts, sandals, sunglasses, etc.

LIFE OPTIONS

Life Options will be hosting a free dinner

on September 8th

, at 6 p.m., Neighborhood

Church, 385 East Allen Road, Sunnyside.

This informational dinner is designed to

bring an awareness of one of our

resources entitled AWARE. (Abstaining,

Waiting, and Respecting Each other) This

program has been presented in many

schools, both public and private, through-

out the Lower Valley. The purpose of the

AWARE program is to educate, equip,

and encourage teens to think and plan for

a healty future.

SHEFFIELD MANOR

The Session wishes to express their appreciation

to Marv Kragt for the many years he led the

devotional ministry on the third Sunday of each

month at Sheffield Manor. Marv is led to retire

due to health and scheduling concerns. The

Session would like to continue this ministry on a

sign-up basis by the month. Please prayerfully

consider signing up and indicate to Jean which

month would work for you.

Missionaries Abraham & Deborah Lara

In addition to their Family Life Ministries the

Lara’s went to Kaliningrad, Russia, earlier in

August to share the love of Jesus with Russian

orphans. “It’s hard to describe the emotions and

experiences we had at three different orphanages.

We sang songs, danced together, played soccer, created

crafts, shared hugs. I preached to a Russian

congregation , and we felt a tremendous connection

with those kids and our host contacts and

translators.”

Projected September Mission Giving

Campbells/ Bolivia: $300

Good News Club $250

Wycliffe Translators

We enjoyed having Dave and Angela Kane

from Wycliffe Translators report to us

regarding their work. They were here on

Sunday, August 16th. They also showed a

video. It was a blessing to hear of their

work.

Denim Sunday

September 13 9 am Sunday School

10 am Worship

11 am Church picnic

Find your best denim jeans and denim jacket and

come on down and help start the 2015 - 2016

Sunday School series Believe. Fried Chicken, salads,

baked beans, watermelon, and brownie Sundaes

will be served following the worship.

Sunday School 2015 – 2016

All ages youth to adults Begins September 13, 9 am

Believe Living the Story of the Bible to become like Jesus

Think, act and be more like Jesus

Wednesday Night Fellowship

September 16 BBQ 6:00 pm

Meat and buns will be provided please bring a side dish

or chips

6:30 pm Yard games competition

September 23 and 30,

6 pm Potluck

6:30 pm video series Soul Keeping

by John Ortberg

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

4 Jim Rice 5 Vern & Jane McCombs

6 Vern McCombs 8 Bill & Polly McKinney

7 Don Bentley 13 Ken & Aggie McPherson

8 Ann Bentley 17 Mike & Linda Clark

17 Joan Souders

24 Don Olmstead IV

29 Sue Johnson

29 Judy Rice

Life Options (from Jan McDonald) For all of you

who

participated in

the Walk for

Life---a big

THANKYOU!

More than

$33,800 was

raised and we

are still

counting. This

is our biggest

Walk ever. (Our church raised $880.00. Those who walked from our church were Maxine Ballinger, Trish Drollinger, and Carolyn Bren).

If you want to

join God

where He is

From World Vision’s

Water Team

Dear Friend,

You’ve given clean water, but

you’ve also done so much

more than you know. People

all over the worl are

benefiting from what we’re

calling the water effect. A

daughter who has been given

back hours in the day she can

use to go to school; A son

who will no longer battle the

same deadly waterborne

disease over and over; A dad

who will get to cherish his

children, rather than bury

them. As a partner with

World Vision you know our

work changes lives. Your

water gift is part of a larger

plan to end poverty. Bottom

line? You did a big thing.

A Covenant

Order of

Evangelical

Presbyterians

From: Dr. Dana S. Allin, Synod

Executive

Thank you so much for giving to

ECO. Your donation has helped

make significant progress in our

development this past quarter.

As of this writing, we have 192

congregations and 9

presbyteries across the country.

The ECO staff feels extremely

grateful for the ways that God

has blessed us in the first

quarter of 2015 and for your

continued support of the

mission and ministry of ECO.

(We gave $500 toward new ECO

church plants.)

SEPTEMBER, 2015

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 1:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study

3

4 5

6 10:00 a.m. Worship and Communion

7

8 8 a.m.

Souders Men’s Bible Study

9

1:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study 6:00pm Potluck & study

10 8:00 a.m. Prayer time

11 6:30 p.m Fellowship group I Hosts: Kragts—at the church.

12

13 9:00Sunday School 10:00 am Worship Picnic after church

14

15 8 am

Souders Mens Bible Study

16 1:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study 6:00pm Potluck & study

17 8: a.m. Prayer for the church

18 .

19

20 9:00 SundaySchool 10:00 am Worship

21

6 p.m. Committees Deacons 7 p.m. Session

22 8 a.m.Souders Men’s Bible Study

23 1:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study 6:00pm Potluck & study

24

8:00 Prayers for church

25

26

27 9:00 Sunday School 10:00 am Worship

28

29 8 a.m. Souders Men’s Bible Study

30

1:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study 6:00pm Potluck & study

Lay Assistants

5/5 Sue Johnsonl

5/12 Mike Bren

5/19

5/26 Gretchen Lange

Head Usher

5/5 Bill McKinney

5/12 Bill McKinney

5/19 Tim Smith

5/26 Tim Smith

Praise Team Leader

Ushers

5/5

5/12 David Skinner, Mark Longfellow

5/19 Sue Johnson, Betty Minnich

5/26 Marv & Nancy Kragt

GREETERS

5/5

5/12 Don & Lori Swynenburg

5/19

5/26 Dave & Maxine Ballinger

Communion Servers

May 5 Richard Shenyer,

Mark Longfellow, Jean Eakin

OUTDOOR GREETERS

5/5 Don and Ann Bentley

5/26 Mark Longfellow

CHILDREN’S CHURCH LEADERS

5/5 Robin Smith

5/12 Alix Carlson

5/19 Bev Rider

5/26 Edie Graf

Open letter to GA moderator and PCUSA stated clerk by Dr.James C. Goodloe IV. Executive Director, Foundation for Reformed Theology, Richmond, VA.

This is from “The Layman” publication for March/April 2013

I was delighted to read aloud to a session last night, as we were studying the Book of Order, the following two paragraphs about our confessions: The Purpose of Confessional Statements

The Presbyterian Church (USA) states its faith and bears witness to God’s grace in Jesus Christ in the creeds and confessions in The Book of Confessions. In these statements the church declares to its members and to the world who and what it is, what it believes, and what it resolves to do. These statements identify the church as a community of people known by its convictions as well as by its actions. They guide the church in its study and interpretations of the Scriptures; they summarize the essence of Reformed Christian tradition; they direct the church in maintaining sound doctrines; they equip the church for its work of proclamation. They serve to strengthen personal commitment and the life and witness of the community of believers. The creeds and confessions of this church arose in response to particular circumstances within the history of God’s people. They claim the truth of the Gospel at those points where they authors perceived that truth to be at risk. They are the result of prayer, thought, and experience within a living tradition. They appeal to the universal truth of the Gospel while expressing that truth within the social and cultural assumptions of their time. They affirm a common faith tradition, while also from time to time standing in tension with each other. The parts that I have marked in boldface and underline affirm and indicate, of course: 1. That the confessions are a statement of the church’s current faith (note the present tense), not simply a museum collection of artifacts of what the church used to believe;

2. That the confessions are not only a statement of current faith but also, therefore, govern our actions, what we do together as a church and 3. That despite minor variations among the confessions, they continue to affirm a common faith tradition in which we continue to stand, which we continue to believe, and by which we continue to agree to be governed. This is astounding! What this means in regard to the proposal to redefine marriage was totally wrong. It is most certainly not the case that we are free to revise the Book of Order into contradiction with The Book of Confessions, since even the Book of Order itself acknowledges (1) that the confessions state our current faith, (2) that our confessions declare what we are to do, and (3) that they do so within a coherent faith tradition. Therefore, the action of the