Finally, the opportunity has arrived . . . The Story. On Sunday, September 2nd, we will embark in the sanctuary on a journey of transforma on as we come to understand God’s story as a seamless narra ve of God and His pursuit of a rela onship with mankind. Many adults have joined life groups that begin the week of September 9th, with both children and teens focusing upon this congrega onal‐wide curriculum during Sunday School. If you have not signed‐up, do not hesitate to contact the church office at 570‐739‐2241 x225 so you can be placed in The Story Life Group that best fits your schedule. Sundays 9:15 to 10:15 am Mark & Cindy Brooks ‐ 23 Meadowbrook Center Conference Room Curt Behler ‐ Bethesda Library Jeff Hain ‐ Bethesda Café Maggie Arbushites ‐ Bethesda Surfer Room Bill Harig, Bill Huey, Lloyd Yeager ‐ Bethesda Interna onal Room Sundays 6:00 to 7:30 pm Jane Baudoin ‐ 23 Meadowbrook Center Conference Room Wednesdays 6:30 to 8:00 pm Norma & Steve Minnich ‐ Bethesda Library Wednesdays 7:00 to 8:30 pm Janet Stoyer ‐ 951 Lone Star Drive, Auburn Thursdays 6:30 to 8:00 pm Jeff & Tasha Byerly ‐ 25 Meadowbrook Drive, Schuylkill Haven

Sunday Morning Worship Schedule 8:00 am Traditional Service

9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Contemporary Service (child care provided)

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT July 2018

Budgeted Actual Difference Income $ 276,836 $ 281,627 $ 4,791 Expenses $ 272,117 $ 246,978 ($ 25,139)

Sign-ups to be a part of the Christmas Cantata will be available starting Sunday, September 2nd. Please sign-up no later then Sunday, September 23rd so we

know how much music to order. Practices will begin, Sunday, October 21st from 5:30 to 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. The date for the Cantata will be announced shortly. Choir practice will begin Wednesday, August 29th at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. New members are welcome! Contact Kim Stoudt for more information.

What’s For Dinner Wednesdays Will resume October 3rd & 17th Dinner served: 5:30 - 6:15 pm

Come enjoy a hearty meal and fellowship before our Wednesday evening activities. (Adults $3, Kids $1, Family cost $10.00 max). Nursery available. Menus will

be shared prior to each date. If you are able to bring a dessert it is appreciated!

Wednesday, October 17th We are in the process of organizing this event and are looking for volunteers interested in being on the planning team. If you would be interested in helping

make this event fun filled night for the children, please contact Pastor Stewart at

570-739-2241 x223 ASAP.

Straight Outta Bethlehem 2018 Children’s Christmas Musical Preview - Sunday, September 2nd

Everyone who is interested in being a part of this year’s Children’s Christmas Musical – Straight Outta Bethlehem – is invited to join us for a preview on Sunday,

September 2nd during Jr. Church. If you are interested in helping with this event, please sign up at the Welcome Counter. We need LOTS OF PARENTAL HELP to make this production successful!

For we walk by faith, not by sight. ‐ 2 Corinthians 5:7

“Under [Christ’s] direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so

that the whole body healthy and growing and full of love.”

Crochet Circle on September 3rd & 17th at the home of Cheryl Bender.

Ladies Monthly Breakfast All women are welcome, no need to sign-up!

Saturday, September 1st at 9 am at Blue Mountain Family Restaurant, Shartlesville. Questions? Lisa at 484-294-6765.

Join us for fun fellowship and delicious food at the Market Square Coffee House, 118 W Market St, Orwigsburg on Saturday, Sept. 15th at 12 noon. Breakfast and lunch are

available. For more information, call Cherie at 570-292-6917.

Men’s Monthly Breakfast, Saturday, September 8th at 8 am at Friedensburg

Country Restaurant.

Bethesda Youth Ministries Students in 5th thru 12th grade

BYM Jr - Begins September 12th at 6:30 pm

BYM Combined - Kick-off September 23rd from

12 noon to 2 pm

BYM Senior - Regular meetings start September 30th

Any questions, contact Pastor Stewart at 570-739-2241 x223.

Movie Night Saturday, September 15th at 6:00 pm

in the Library

All adults 18+ are invited to join us to watch “Young at Heart”. Please bring a snack or drink to share. Signup online or at the

Welcome Counter by September 12th. Questions? Call Linda Bollinger at 570-739-4580.

Open to all students in Age 4 to 4th grade. Meets on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00 pm in the

Common Ground.

Stay tuned for opportunities all around you: The Story life groups begin 9/9/18 The Church Has Left the Building 10/14/18 MOB’s Service Opportunities

Tuesdays @ the Corner 6:30 to 8:00 pm

Celebrate Recovery® is designed to help those struggling with hurts, hang-ups, and habits by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through the recovery process. The program is based on eight principles from the Beatitudes and the Twelve Steps (i.e. AA) and their biblical comparisons. A limitless number of issues can be dealt with through the program such as chemical addictions, overspending; anger; overeating; need to control; fear/anxiety and more! For more information, please call the church office.

Ladies’ Fall Breakfast Saturday, September 15th

8 to 10 am Blue Mountain Family Restaurant (Shartlesville Exit off Rte 78)

Order off the menu-Separate checks

Relaxed Fellowship ~ Testimonials ~ Prayer Please sign-up at the Welcome Counter or on-line by September 9th. Questions? Contact Norma Minnich

at 570-617-0931.

Prayer Meeting Join us in the Library on Wednesdays at 7:30

pm to pray for the needs of our community and congregation.

Missionary Corner EC Church of India

PRAISE that Bernard Songate, son of Lalrosiem Songate, principal of the Evangelical College of Theology (ECT), Churachandpur, India is able

to live with Pastor Jeff and Tasha as he begins his college studies. PRAY for wisdom for Lalrosiem as he leads ECT. Pray for adequate library books to be purchased for the new Missiology degree at the seminary. PRAY for Bernard as he learns how to drive (!) and commutes to classes at Reading Area Community College.

If you or your group would like to use the church facilities, (including the Social Hall or 23 Meadowbrook Center), please call the office, 570-739-2241 x225 or e-mail us at office@bethesdaec.org so that we can check the date and put your event on the calendar. By doing so, this eliminates conflicts and helps us better plan heating/cooling needs. We will begin to accept reservations for the use of 23 Meadowbrook Center as of September 1st. Thank you!

Mondays 7:00 to 8:00 pm Bethesda @ the Corner

September 3rd - Living a Rich Life September 10th - The Art of Listening September 17th - Miracles or Mere Coincidences? September 24th - When Anxiety Strikes October 1st - A Family Divided

September 2nd & 16th 1:30 - 3:30 pm in the Library

GriefShare is a support group for those who have lost a spouse, child, family member or friend. Video vignettes, group discussion, personal study, and reflection are part of healing. Call Paul at 570-294-0778 for more information.

This event is organized and run by Twin Pines, therefore, for more information, please visit the Twin Pines website at www.twinpines.org or call 570-629-2411. Bob Fetterhoff will be the song leader, and Matt Logan will be the pianist. We hope to see you there!

Reminder - October 14th, 2018 TCHLTB will take place. Stay tuned for

volunteer signups taking place in September!

The Wayne Township Senior Group will begin meeting at 23 Meadowbrook Center starting September 5th! The Center will open on Wednesdays at 11 am. Lunch will be served at 12 noon followed by a special activity or program. The Center will close at 2 pm. Drop in when you can and stay as long as you like Coffee and games will always be available. To signup for events, please visit www.23meadowbrook.org. Wednesday, September 5 - Lunch: Soup & Sandwich Activity: BINGO! Bring a $2.00 item for the prize table. Wednesday, September 12 - Lunch: Salisbury Steak Program: Living a Healthy Life. Friday, September 14 - 6:30 to 8:30 pm - Movie Night Wednesday, September 19 - Lunch: Pasta & Meatballs Activity: DIY Craft Tuesday, September 25 - 6:30 to 8:30 pm - Canvas Acrylic Painting - Cost is $25. Wednesday, September 26 - Lunch: Beef Tips Program: Medicare Counseling Diakon is also offering fitness classes (Full Body Tone & Stretch and Zumba Gold) on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings.

PRAYER CONCERNS September2018

Please Note – All prayer concerns will be listed for one month and then removed. If you would like your prayer concern to be con nued longer than a month, you must contact the church office or Pastor Mark. Thank you!

Personal Cindy Allison (recovery) Jim Aregood (recovery) Loretta Behler (cancer) Bonnie Betz (recovery) Angie Blankenhorn (feet) Ida Blankenhorn (recovery) Mary Jo Brennan (cancer) Marie Canfield (cancer) Joe Conway (recovery) Irene Conway (eye) Janene Ditzler (medication) Robert Donton (recovery) Adam Drobnick (healing) Gloria Ebling (cancer) Brenda Eddy (recovery) Ron Emerich (rehab) Tara Fegley (epilepsy) Chris Garcia (recovery) Eileen Goodwin (chemo) Jeff Hain (treatment) Rusty Heckman (cancer) Gary Hess (recovery) Elizabeth Hoffman (recovery) Michelle Hoy (treatment) Robert Huey (hospice) Eleanor Jamison (testing) Destie Kisamore (kidney) Gerald Knauf (transition) Dennis Lauffer (respiratory) Leah Lauffer (recovery) Manny Lopez (testing) Jim Martin (recovery) Jen Matz (testing) Linda Mentzel (cancer) Jake Miller (recovery) Brandon Moyer (surgery) Amber Pavalko (recovery) Donna Platts (cancer) Jennifer Rader (recovery) Dawn Reiter (testing) Mary Rhen (heart) Jessica Reinhart (health) Dave Rothermel (recovery)

Vicky Sleinkofer (recovery) Cara Stine (treatment) Maria Szumblinski (recovery) Theo Szumblinski (cancer) Flo Walton (recovery) Richard Welker (cancer) Lloyd Yeager (leg) Jean Zalonka (hospice) Family Colleen Beaumont family (loss) Eleanor Bergen family (loss) Bob Brennan family (loss) Blake Broadhurst family (loss) Albert Brooks family (loss) Phillip Christman family (transition) Hailey Grace Cochran family (birth) Eddy family (health) Holubec family (transition) Andrea Long family (loss) Noreen Muthersbaugh family (loss) Sharlne Ann Nemits family (loss) Cindy Smith family (transition) Waschko family (support) Randy/Judy Wessner family (perseverance) Beth Zimmerman family (perseverance)

Military Josh Behler (Air Force) Ryan Brooks (Air Force) Kaleb Jennings (Marines) Jeff McNeil (Army) - (training) Nicole Perkins (Army) Thomas Perkins (Army)

Brett Rhen (recovery) Steven J Russell-Rhen (Army) Zehn Schropp (Air Force) Zach Siple (Coast Guard) Joe Sweigart (Army)

Shut-ins Margaret Bender Walter Bilger Dorothy Blankenhorn Bert Heydt Edith Houtz Ruth Liddle

Ardeth Luckenbill M. Jean Luckenbill Sharon Kissinger Hazel Minnich Flo Walton Hilda Yeager

Local, National and Global EC Officers: Bishop: Bruce Hill Exec Director: K. Henry Associates: J. Byerly, L. Cool, G. Kuehner, & T. Rathman Hurricane Recovery - TX, LA, PR, & FL President Donald J. Trump Vice President Mike Pence US Military Forces PSP Troop L - Frackville, Jonestown & Schuylkill Haven Schuylkill County flooding Students, Teachers, Support Staff & Administrators

Congregational 23 Meadowbrook Center Celebrate Recovery Coffee @ the Corner Griefshare Ministry Lifetree Café L.I.F.E. & TUMI Prison Ministries The Story

All articles for events held during October 1st through November 15th should be submitted by the 10th of

September in order to be included in our October issue. A copy of this newsletter can also be found on-line at

www.bethesdaec.org.

A time of adoration and worship followed by small group prayer focused on specific requests.

Fellowship of Prayer 6 pm in the Café - Sept. 9th & 23rd