Inside this issue:

Ladies Night Out;

My Ladies; VBS

Form

2

Christian Ed. 3

Christian Ed.; Pirate

Game; Summer

Events

4

May Calendar 5

Memorial Day Flow-

er Form

Back

Cover

I like to imagine a cow sitting under a shade tree “chewing her cud,” revisiting a scrumptious meal that she had consumed an hour earlier. It was a good meal of field grass and now she is slowly grinding her meal into smaller bits for digestion.

This is the image that the Bible gives us when we are feeding on and digesting God's Word for spiritual nourishment. To better understand this process, imagine us eating a “sit-down meal” and slowly enjoying every bite of food. We are drinking in the spices, seasonings and flavors that are asso-ciated with our delightful meal. Or imagine a good piece of chewing gum like a stick of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit or Big Red; we are enjoying the great taste as we slowly work the gum in our mouth, its sweetness and flavor flooding our taste buds.

God tells us to meditate on God's Word, slowly chewing it and tasting all the “flavors” with which it is filled. Too often though, we become fast-food Christians, rushing through life and gobbling down our spiritual food.

In this culture and generation, resources are bombarding us so readily and quickly that we jam the information into our minds and hearts on a con-stant basis, moving on, often without regard to its content. The Internet and e-mail are amazing resources, but many times we find ourselves over-whelmed with information. We sort through our e-mail, its notes, advertise-ments, anecdotes, and urgent messages at such a frantic pace that we are gasping for air when we are done!

We can find ourselves approaching God's Word in the same way. We shove our mouths full as we move quickly from lesson to lesson and from Scripture verse to Scripture verse, not taking the time to really be nurtured by God's Word. In order for God's Word to fuel our spirit and strengthen our faith we need to slowly meditate and reflect on its content.

Right now, I want you to set aside 15 minutes (get a timer if you need it) and meditate on the following verses. Romans 2:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, ho-ly and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not con-form any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renew-ing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV Read it, chew on it and ask ques-tions like: What is God telling me as I read? Are there special words that resonate with me? What can I learn from this and how can I apply its message to my life? I will assure you as you chew and meditate on these verses that God will show you some wonderful insights to God’s kingdom.

Be ready! Within the two weeks following this article, I will be asking you if you have done the assignment and what you received from it. Have a good chew.

Bethany Road

Committee Meetings

Property May 2 at

6:30 p.m.

Deacons May 3 at

6:30 p.m.

Worship & Memo-

rials May 9 at 7:00

p.m.

Member Involve-

ment May 9 at 7:00

p.m.

Christian Ed. May

10 at 6:00 p.m.

SESSION May 25

at 7:00 p.m.

Bet han y Pr esb yt e r i an Chur ch

May 2017

Volume , Issue From the Desk of Pastor Peter

Bethany Road Page 2

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Ladies Night Out will be held on Sunday, May 21st with dinner at 6:00

p.m. in the Social Hall. Entertainment will be following in the Sanctuary

with Ken Metrick singing Christian, Gospel and Country Music. Please

invite a friend and plan on attending a very enjoyable evening. Suggest-

ed donation for tickets to cover costs is $5 for adults and $10 for families and are available at

the Welcome Center.

Ladies Night Out

My Ladies...Continuing into May

Our Bible Study will continue on Tuesday, May 2 and May 16 at 10:00 a.m. in the

rear of Carson Chapel. We will be continuing and concluding our study of Satan and

the fallen angels. This Bible Study is open to all widows and concludes by 11:15 a.m.

Circle the following dates on your calendar: Tuesday, June 27, Tuesday, July 18 (will

not be meeting on our regular date because of the 4th of July) and Tuesday, August 1.

Each of these will be our summer schedule where we gather once a month for a time

of lunch (provided for you) and fellowship. The time is 11:30. Our time together will include a short

devotional and is for all widows and will conclude by 12:45. Hope you can join us.

Bethany Road Page 3

From the Desk of Mr. Nate,

May 11- On Thursday at 6:30 AM and PM will we be having our

monthly Prayer Meeting for Youth. We love to see you out (any age) as

we pray by name for our youth from crib to college.

July 16-21, 2017 is this

year’s date for summer camp for youth who finished 3rd-12th grade. Cost is

$325 minus applicable discounts.

Scholarships are available for those who have financial need.

Online registration is at www.bethanysummercamp.org and health form registration with Wesley Woods is at

www.camphealthform.net. Call us if you need help at 724-662-4340.

Highlights include Capture the Flag, Water Slide, Bear Hunt (formerly “Counselor Hunt’), Bedlam, Skit Night,

Gaga Ball, 9 Square in the Air, Heated Pool, Showers in the Cabins, music, speakers, and 6 O’clock News with

college age and older counselors.

Junior Camp (completed 3rd-6th grade) includes the above activities, plus ponies, challenge course, Gaga Ball,

and more.

Nikes Camp (middle school) includes the above, plus your own location, Adirondack cabins, canoeing, Zip

line, Survivor, visit Frosty Jack’s, group service project, optional horseback riding (extra cost), & more.

High School Camp (completed 9th-12th grade) includes the above highlights and discounts up to $150. High

school camp activities include rock climbing, survivor, air soft, high ropes, breakouts, optional horseback

riding and zip line (extra costs).

High school campers have three options:

1) Camp fun and friends,

2) Camp fun and friends plus volunteer 2-3 times (10-15 hours) for a five hour morning or evening

block with a Junior Camp counselor and campers,

3) Volunteer for the whole week as a Junior Camp assistant counselor sleeping in a junior cabin.

Seniority will be given to upperclassmen. Call church office at 724-662-4340 if you are interested

in being a high school counselor for more information and requirements.

111 dozen cookies

Still needed

Bethany Road Page 4

Still time to register at www.wvtrip.net.

Groups are meeting in May to prepare for VBS.

Next group meeting will be Wednesday, June 7.

Jamaica Mission Trip Team Update

Padres vs. Pirates on August 6, 2016 at 1:35 pm

Cost is $26 per ticket and includes $5 loaded value for concession.

Place your payment ($26 per person) in an envelope and place in the drop

box by the office doors. Ticket purchasers will be grouped together this

year. Free transportation will also be provided by Bethany Church via Wat-

son Bus leaving after the morning service (11:30 am). Bring a lunch with

you or eat at the park!

LOOKING AHEAD….

Outdoor Movie Night- May 26 (9 pm) at Brandy Springs w/ “Finding Dory”

Vacation Bible School- June 5-9; 9 am to 12 pm; 3 years old to 6th grade

WV Trip- June 17-24 (high school students, adults, families)

Padres vs. Pirates- August 6 cost is $26 w/ a $5 concession card.

Bethany Golf Scramble- August 20

Church Picnic at Camp Nazareth- August 27

Our 2017 Senior Class Trip includes: Rachel Bish, Abby

Grabigel, Ryan McQuown, Paige Gressly, Grace Ruhlman,

Ryan Peck, Brittany Watson, Alex Denny (Big Bend

UMC), Leah Fuge (Chapel), Nate Childers, Sharon Ketter-

er, Laurie Ruhlman, and Peter Dembroski.

Thank you to everyone who baked and/or

bought items for our Dessert Auction. Also, a

special thank you to our auctioneer Wayne

Iman. We raised a new record of $1,711 this

year!!

Our trip to Jamaica

this year costs approxi-

mately $1,500 per per-

son.

Seniors and parents

raise one third (1/3) and

pay another one third

(1/3) of the trip cost

each year. Our goal this

year is $6,500. We

have currently raised

$5,104 and have about

$1,400 to go.

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017

Memorial Day Flower Form

Volunteer Helper I will volunteer to be a :

_____Planter _____Dead Header

_________________________________Name

Phone Number________________________

Memorial Day Geraniums at a cost of $3.00 each. Please complete this form and return to the

Church Office with your payment by Wednesday May 17. All donated geraniums will be planted on

Church property.

Your Name:_________________________________

No. of Geraniums_____________

In Memory of __________________________________________

In Honor of_________________________________________

*The planting will take place on Saturday, May 20 at 8:00 a.m.

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Mercer, PA 16137

PERMIT No. 39

We’re here

to Exalt,

to Encourage,

to Equip, to

TO:

100 West Venango Street

Mercer, PA 16137

Regular Office Hours

Mon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

(724) 662 – 4340

Prayer Chain: sueallen@bethany-

presbyterian.org

Fax: 724-662-1080

Web: www.bethany-presbyterian.org

B e t h a n y P r e s b yt e r i a n C h u r c h

Current Resident or