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8 Bethany Newsletter DECEMBER 2015

Fall Festival 2015 Volunteers thank you

Thank you to all who prayed, volunteered,

donated candy and worked at the Fall Festival. We

had another successful outreach event. Approximately 1,000 people came through the

doors and we had over 100 workers. Praise God

there was enough workers plus about 18 teens

that came and helped. There were over 25,000

pieces of candy given out, and all who saw the

Magic Bob show received hot dogs and potato

chips. Another big praise was that the building was

cleaned up by 10pm and ready for Connection

Sunday the next day. Thanks to the Bethany Families, many smiling

faces, and helping hands who made it all possible.

PrimeTimers Christmas Party (ages 50+)

Wednesday, December 9th @ noon Dust off your favorite Christmas

sweater & slip on those colorful

holiday socks then join us for an

afternoon of merry mirth. Please bring a wrapped $5

Christmas gift to pass. Cost for catered lunch is $15,

due by Wednesday, December 2nd to Sheryl

MacPhee, Carol Meinhardt or Harold Warntz. Sign

up at the Welcome Center and pick up a flyer.

BETHANY CHURCH

Bethany has been situated on the corner of 15 Mile Road

and Beaconsfield for almost 60 years, and has a rich

heritage that involves Christ followers who are devoted to

seeking the will of God. We know it is no accident that we

have been placed on this corner and we strive to reach out

to our community with the love of Christ.

19700 15 Mile Road

Clinton Twp. Mi 48035

Phone: 586-791-1190

Fax: 586-791-2959

Email: [email protected]

Website: connect2bethany.org

Office hours: M & T 10am-4pm

W - F 9am-5pm

Single Seniors (ages 55+) Christmas Luncheon

Thursday, December 10th @ 12:30pm Our Christmas luncheon will be at the Harbor

House restaurant. Please bring a $5 edible gift to

exchange. Sign up at the Welcome Center.


Christmas Eve Service Thursday, December 24th @ 6pm

A family worship experience as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Events This Month

Dec 4 Ladies Event

Dec 6 Communion AM

Dec 12 BIA Bowling

Dec 13 Donut Sunday

Choir Concert

Dec 16 Souled Out

Event

Dec 20 Music Night

Dec 24 Christmas Eve

Service

Dec 31 Souled Out

All-Nighter

Inside this issue:

Classes 2

Missions 3

Church Calendar 5

Upcoming events 6

Youth group events 7

Welcome!

We are very thankful to

have you with us. If you

are a first time guest to

Bethany, please stop by

the Welcome Center,

and give us the

opportunity to meet

you! For information on

any of Bethany’s

ministries, pick up a

flyer at the Welcome

Center or see Bethany’s

web page. Please join

us again to discover the

difference God can

make in your life.

Pastor Mark Reynolds

December Memory Verse

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:14 KJV

Volume 4, Issue 12 December 2015

What is the Christmas story? Christmas has become a commercial holiday in many countries, celebrated

with lights, banquets and gifts. But the true Christmas story is far more exciting –

worth celebrating in every home!

The Bible tells the true Christmas story:

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had

been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child

from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her

to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an

angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear

to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She

will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their

sins.’ “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the

virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ which

means, God with us” (Matthew 1:18-23). www.gotQuestions.org

Joy! Unspeakable Joy! Bethany Choir Concert Sunday, December 13th @ 11am

“But the angel said to them, “Don't be afraid! I am

here with good news for you, which will bring great joy

to all the people.” Luke 2:10a

Bethany Music Night Sunday, December 20th @ 6pm

An Evening of Christmas Music by the

musicians of Bethany! See Erin Madak to

participate.

http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%201.18-23


HAPPENINGS @BETHANY

Sunday

9:45am Connection Bible Classes;

for All Ages Nursery through Adults

11:00am Worship Service

Kidz Konnection 1st-6th grades

6:00pm Worship Service

CrossRoads (18-29 year olds)

Monday

7:00pm Celebrate Recovery

Committee Meetings (see Calendar)

Tuesday

9:30am Women’s Bible Study (Last meeting Dec 15)

1:00pm Quilting Time

Wednesday

7:00pm Bible Study & Prayer Service, Youth Groups,

Women’s Bible Study

Thursday

7:00pm Choir Practice

Saturday

8:00am Men’s Bible Study

Winter Weekly Schedule

Children's Choir—Save the Date March 20th @ 11am Bethany’s Children's choir will present the musical "Back to the Cross."

Rehearsals begin January 6th @ 6pm. See Erin Madak for more information.

Ladies Ministry Events (Please note the Ladies Ministry events are planned for women 18 & over; there is no childcare at our events – Thank you for understanding.)

Potluck Dinner / Christmas Cookie Exchange December 4th @ 6:30pm

Ladies, we want to start your holiday season with Joy! Come for

a potluck fellowship and then a yummy cookie exchange. You can

come to both or pick one that fits your schedule. Please sign up by

Wednesday, December 2nd at the Welcome Center. To be part of

the Cookie Exchange bring 5 dozen cookies to share and also take

home. Any questions about this event contact Vicky Barbieri.

Ladies Bible Study

Wednesday, January 6th @ 7pm

Ladies will begin the study, “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer.

Lavender Spa Retreat

Saturday, January 23, 2016 8:30am - 4pm Join us as we spend the day together digging deeper into

God's Word. This might be the perfect Christmas Gift for the

lady in your life. Gift Certificates are available. The retreat is

$40 per person. Register now with a $10 deposit. (Balance

due January 10, 2016) Connect with Vickie Contrucci or

Kathy Tucker for more information.

The Ladies Annual Auction Thank you to the ladies that enjoyed an evening filled with devotion, refreshment

and an opportunity to bless a local ministry. All in

attendance were touched by Refuge Detroit, a

new inner city church plant. Through the auction

the ladies gave a gift of over $2,700.00 to this

ministry. Thank you to all who assisted and

participated.

January 6th


Souled Out—Teens 7th-12th grades

Wednesday Nights There is no other place that JR HI and SR HI students should be every

Wednesday night at 7pm because that’s when Souled Out is happening! Each

week is another opportunity to build relationships with each other and with the

God who not only made us, but loves us so much! It is a place for friends to come

and explore what life can be like when we live it Jesus’ way. Each night can have

some crazy games, food, a time where we attempt to put together the pieces of

our lives (the things we wonder about, struggle with, and need to learn more about) and bring them before the God

who is writing our story each and every day. And yes, we’ll always end up having some fun together so don’t miss a

single week!

Christmas Party December 16th @ 7pm–9pm

Hey all JR & SR HI students … Christmas is coming!! That

means Souled Out will be celebrating, by throwing a party!

Mark down the date & time, it will go a little later than

normal. In order to have the most fun, plan on bringing two

items to this party: a food/drink item that you sign up for

(see Robyn Miller) and a white elephant gift (something that

you already have that someone else might actually want or

use). There will be fun games (a new Spoons champion will

be crowned), maybe a prize or two, and a few surprises!

Don’t miss it!

SR HI New Year’s Eve All-Nighter December 31st @ 10pm—7am January 1st The New Year’s Eve All-Nighter will be here before you

know it! It’s going to be a great time! All you can eat pizza,

pop, snacks, Mike’s messy games (think old school

Nickelodeon but without the big budget), Capture the Flag,

big screen movies, and much more--all to bring in the new

year in style.. You don’t want to miss this! Cost is just $12.

Turn money in to Robyn Miller to get on the list. Deadline is

Sunday, December 27.

Mark Your Calendars Time is flying by! So make sure you don’t miss any of the upcoming events. The winter retreat at Camp Barakel

will be on February 5-7, 2016 with JR HI on one side of the camp and SR HI on the other. And hey, even though it’s

9 months away, all current 8th graders up through college can save the dates for Alive Festival, July 20-24, 2016.

We'll be announcing the Area All-Night Event very soon (it’s looking like April 1 this year, but it’s not official yet).

Souled Out Online If you are looking for information about Souled Out and the events that we are doing, you’ve got two great

sources: Facebook and the church’s website. That same information will always be placed on our church website

as well for those of you who do not have Facebook accounts. The Facebook address is facebook.com/SouledOut

BBC and the website address is connect2bethany.org/#/connectbethany/teens.

YOUTH NEWS

Don't miss out on the fun at this year's Christmas Party

Oliva, Gabby, Analise, Abby and Natalie decorate Makenna at

last year's New Year's Eve All Nighter

https://www.facebook.com/SouledOutBBC

https://www.facebook.com/SouledOutBBC

http://connect2bethany.org/#/connectbethany/teens


Summer Camp Meeting December 13th

Come and see the possibilities for your child this summer! If

you have children in grades 3-8 or are interested in the

camps our Bethany kids attend, please plan to be at this brief

meeting, in the Fireside room following the 11am service.

Thanksgiving Food Drive Thank you to all that donated for Bethany’s food drive. We

were able to help 16 families for the holiday season. What a

Blessing to share God’s riches!

December Anniversaries 4 Ralph & Betty McIntyre 1948

9 Scott & Nicole Agbay 1989

23 Sigi & Shirley Bossner 1961

26 Jim & Erma Smith 1959

December Birthdays 2 Tony Rodriguez

3 Ty Voigt

4 Gregory Quay

5 Linda Mick, Annie Vander Veen

8 Tim Cole

10 Rose Marie Adamy, Carlin Loving

11 Grant Arbitter, Jenifer Reed

12 Anne Mayer, Jonathan Mayer,

Tara Sumner

14 Janice Campbell, Ann Carolan

15 Betty McIntyre

16 Christiani Levos

18 Rebecca Gascho, Kathy Walker

19 Kendra Gosk, Erica Hewitt, Mark Levos, Sr

22 Rodrick Nutridge, Bill Poynter III, Holly Rodgers,

Frank Rude

23 Dolly Owens

25 Carl Bulak, Gerald Hewitt II, Katelyn Hewitt

27 David Reed

28 Bob Early, Bob Washburn

29 Jeff Madak

30 Shirley Howery, Sue Maracle

31 Amanda Bishop, Dick Winter

UPCOMING EVENTS BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERIARIES

Upcoming

Events

New Bethany Travel Mugs

Now Available for $5.00 at the Welcome

Center or Library. Pick one up, they

make a great Christmas gift!

Color Code

Missionary Missionary Child Shut-In/Nursing Home Military

January 2016

3 Communion AM

6 Kid’s Choir Rehearsals begin

10 Donut Sunday

23 Ladies Day Retreat

24 Quarterly Business Meeting

31 Winter Jam 2016

February 2016

5-7 Souled Out—Winter Retreat

7 Communion AM

14 Donut Sunday

March 2016

6 Communion AM

13 Donut Sunday

20 Kids Choir Musical


SPOTLIGHT ON MISSIONS

The goals of Bethany’s Missions Committee...to equip and enable members and friends of Bethany to be

personally involved in obeying the Great Commission...to provide a support system for our missions families

who are following the Lord in reaching out into the world.

Missionary of the week, December December 6 —Marge Crumley and her late husband Glenn worked for many years in the Congo

where he was an excellent mechanic. Marge currently has a ministry of encouragement to many

people, especially those who are a part of the Christian Mission to the Deaf.

December 13—Dawn Strauss and her late husband Harvey went to minister at the Alaskan Bible College.

After several years they became area representatives for SEND International in California, where they

recruited missionaries.

December 20—Cordell (Cork) & Joan Loken served many years in Liberia, West Africa. When civil war

broke out in that country they left for the Ivory Coast. There they learned French, so they could

minister to the locals. Cork then, worked with TransWorld radio in their engineering center in Indiana,

and recently spent time with a Christian radio station in Texas. They currently reside in Louisiana.

December 27—Ben & Elizabeth Hagerup are involved in Disciple Markers, a campus ministry in

Pennsylvania; where Ben oversees a number of different colleges. At Penn State Univ: Over 400

students have expressed interest in the fellowship and 15–16 Bible studies have been started this

fall. The Hagerups have seven children to keep them busy– five boys and two girls.

Syrian Refugee Crisis Missions Project Touching those in need across the globe

Bethany is partnering with Samaritan’s Purse this Christmas

season, to provide aid to the millions of refugees around the

world. As a result of these tumultuous times, Europe has been

inundated with refugees. A large percentage of these refugees

have come from Syria where, in a four year period of civil war,

over 200,000 people have been killed and millions displaced.

Other refugees are escaping violence in the nations of

Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea, Nigeria, Somalia, and Kosovo. Many of

these refugees are Christians who have been displaced because of religious persecution.

What is Samaritan’s Purse doing? Samaritan’s Purse has staff in Greece and

Croatia working in Jesus’ Name to provide relief to vulnerable people. In Greece,

refugees are being met at the shore as they arrive by sea— with offers of food, water,

and dry clothing. Each day in Athens, they are helping to feed hundreds of refugees

who are being sheltered in local stadiums. Soap and sleeping pads are also being

offered. In Croatia, they have set up several large hand-washing stations at a transit

camp to address hygiene issues. Also, they are daily distributing hundreds of

backpacks filled with food, hygiene items, a poncho, hats, blankets, and more. In

Macedonia, Bethany’s evangelical partners continue to hand out similar women’s

and children’s backpacks. Bethany is also meeting needs for basic necessities

through Christian partners in Serbia and Hungary.

Would you consider sharing in this project? Beginning November 29th and

ending December 20th, we will be receiving a love offering to be used in providing

much needed aid to those in crisis. Even our own missionaries have shared how the

refugee crisis has impacted their areas of service. All monies collected and

earmarked for The Refugee Crisis Project will be sent to Samaritan’s Purse for

distribution. Special envelopes are provided in the pews and at the table in the lobby.

Europe Refugee Relief

Please pray for the

safety of the

refugees and that

they will see the

light of the Gospel

through these

efforts. Pray for

the work of

Samaritan’s Purse

staff, volunteers

and our

evangelical

partners.

Especially, pray for

peace in the

Middle East, North

Africa and South

Asia.


EVENTS

Library Connections “The Twelve Words of Christmas”

This DVD is part of the Passion

Talk Series by Louie Giglio.

As Giglio tells the story about

Christ’s birth, he focuses his main

point on the 12 words the angels proclaimed as they

first announced it—“A Savior has been born to you.

He is Christ the Lord”—thereby ending the apparent

silence of God for the prior 400-plus years. With the

birth of Jesus, each and every person could now know

and have a real relationship with God. It’s the

greatest story ever told. Completely unforeseen, yet

long awaited was the voice of God breaking through

the darkness and 400 years of silence with the cry of

a baby. And not just any baby, the gift of God. A baby

born under the radar and into the chaos—announced

by twelve words that changed history and brought

hope to humanity.

That’s the message of Christmas. God with us, full

of grace and truth. And no one on earth is too far

from His love. No one beyond His reach. He’s at work

in your life, even in the midst of the chaos, and

promises to bring you through. Merry Christmas! The

Savior is here.

GEMS News (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior)

Thursday, December 3rd @ 6:15pm

The GEMS Girls (grades 1-6) are singing some

carols at the Crisis Pregnancy Center Banquet

and then going out for ice cream.

Saturday, December 12th @ 9:30am

The GEMS Girls are going to sing some carols at

the Clinton-Aire Nursing Home. After this they

have reservations at AirTime in Shelby Township

from noon to 1 pm. If you love to sing and jump,

this field trip is for you.

Permission slips are needed for either event.

Wednesday, December 16th @ 7pm.

GEMS Christmas party.

See Dawn Wolf or Jen Reed for these events.

Sunday Connections News I’d like to share with you some exciting news about

what God is doing with our church family here at

Bethany. The adults are studying many different

topics, including Romans, Living in Dark Times as

taught through Ruth and Judges, to The Pursuit of

God by A.W.Tozer.

We have new believers attending membership

class, baptism class, and Bible 101. They are asking

questions and being guided through the Scriptures

with the solid facts of where their salvation stands

through Jesus Christ.

And of course, we have children of all ages,

learning that Jesus loves them by studying the truths

of the Bible and learning how to apply these to their

daily lives.

On behalf of the Christian Ed Committee, Thank

you, Kathy Tucker /Sunday School Superintendent.

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;5 guide me in your truth

and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long..

Psalm 25:4-5

Teachers Needed Thank you, Miss Sheryl!

Sheryl MacPhee has served

our little ones here at Bethany

for decades but is being lead

into new areas of ministry. We

are looking for another Miss

Sheryl; someone to be

mentored by her in the pre-

school /Kindergarten class to become the lead

teacher.

We are seeking additional teachers to become

part of the elementary team, which teaches the

students one month on and one month off. We

are also in need of additional adult class

teachers who would be willing to step in and take

on a class for a quarter, or be available to

substitute. With the addition of new babies, we

have a need for assistance with our little ones

from birth to Kindergarten.

My question to you is: Perhaps you hear the

Lord’s call to step up, assist and grow in His Love

by serving Him through teaching and leading

others. If God is speaking to you about serving,

please see Pastor Mark, Pastor Mike, or Kathy

Tucker to share in this ministry.

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old

he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6


MONTHLY CALENDAR

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

7pm Celebrate Recovery; Missions Committee

Meeting

7pm Celebrate Recovery;

Deacons Meeting

7pm Celebrate Recovery;

Trustee Meeting

9:00am – Donut Sunday 9:45am - Connection Classes 11am - Christmas Concert 2:30pm - Choir @

Oakmont Parkway Senior Living

6pm - Evening Service CrossRoads Bible 101

12:30pm Single Seniors

Luncheon At Harbor House

7pm

Choir Practice

7pm Celebrate Recovery

7pm Bible Study & Prayer;

Boys In Action; GEMS Girls;

Souled Out Teens Christmas Party;

Women’s Bible Studies

9:30am

Ladies Bible Study

1pm

Quilting Time

9:45am - Connection Groups 11am - Worship Service

Kidz Konnection

No Evening Service

6pm - CrossRoad Christmas Party

7pm Bible Study & Prayer; Boys In Action; GEMS

Girls; Souled Out; Women’s Bible Studies

9:45am - Connection Classes 11am - Worship Service

Kidz Konnection 6pm - Music Night

9:30am

Ladies Bible Study & Potluck Luncheon

1pm

Quilting Time

7pm Bible Study & Prayer; Boys In Action; GEMS

Girls Event; Souled Out Teens; Women’s Bible

Studies

6pm Christmas Eve

Service

8am

Men’s Bible Study

8:15am

BIA 7th –12th

Rifle Shoot

8am

Men’s Bible Study

11:30am Men’s Luncheon

6:30pm

Ladies Pot Luck Dinner and

Cookie Exchange

12-3:30pm PrimeTimers

Christmas Party 8am

Men’s Bible Study

9:30am-2pm

GEMS Event

10am-1:30pm

BIA Bowling Event

9:45am - Connection Classes 11am - Worship Service Communion Kidz Konnection 4pm CE Meeting 6pm - Evening Service CrossRoads Bible 101

6:15 pm GEMS Event

7pm

Choir Practice

7pm Bible Study & Prayer

10pm SR HI All Nighter

9:30am

Ladies Bible Study

1pm

Quilting Time

Merry Christmas

Happy Birthday Jesus

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