Pastor: Deborah T. Marion Chaplain in Residence: Carol Johnson Director of Children & Youth Ministries: Kris Kent Lay Leader: Judy Burner Assistant Director: Dawn McDade Associate Lay Leaders: Roy Bauschatz Director of Music: Sandra Fox & Archie Leigh Organist: Rudy Shackelford Church Office Administrator: Dee Dee Wike

Liturgists: Cantata Acolytes: Patrick Glaze Sound Room: Kirk Bell

December Altar Guild: Nerine Hickman, Linda Fletcher, Lynda Blubaugh

Trustee Contact for the Week: Donna Andersen

Bethany United Methodist Church 1860 Hayes Road • PO Box 527 Gloucester Point VA 23062 Office: 804.642.2110 Email: bethanyumc3@verizon.net Website: www.bethanyumc-gp.org

STEWARDSHIP

12/11/16

General Fund Total 5878.00

Capital Improvement Fund 360.00

Pastor’s Discretionary 520.00

Altar Flowers 45.00

Van Fund 11.00

Poinsettias 559.00

COUNTING TEAMS December

Luther 18

Hampton 25

SUNDAY WORSHIP 12/11/16

11:00 205

TOTAL WORSHIP 205

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Adults 42

Youth 8

Children 17

TOTAL in SS 67

Children's Church 19

NURSERY

11:00 3

DONATIONS NEEDED The Salvation Army, Laurel Shelter, and Bread for Life continue to need the following:

Non-perishable foods, such as canned meats, soups, vegetables, peanut butter, and fruits.

Household cleaners, paper products, over the counter medicines, and personal hygiene items are also requested items.

Please place donations in the baskets beside the church office and in the narthex. Thanks!

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CHIMING OF THE HOUR

WELCOMING OUR GUESTS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REGISTRATION OF ATTENDANCE SHARING OF OUR CELEBRATIONS AND PRAYER CONCERNS

MEDITATION Variations on a Noël, Opus 20 Marcel Dupré Variations 1 ‒ 9 (1886-1971)

Based upon Noël Nouvelet (UMH No. 237)

*CALL TO WORSHIP AND LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE Isaiah 7:10-16 Samantha and Shelby Jacobs

We seek a sign of the Lord our God. From the depths of the earth to the heights of the heavens, let God’s sign be

known to all. A young woman shall give birth to peace, hope and joy. A young woman will give Love a name: Emmanuel – God is with us. Let us – in Love – light the light of the Lord.

*HYMN OF PRAISE Love Came Down at Christmas UMH No. 242

MORNING PRAYER THE LORD’S PRAYER UMH No. 895

RECEIVING OF OUR TITHES, GIFTS, AND MORNING OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY Variations on a Noël: Variation 10 Marcel Dupré Based upon UMH No. 237

*THE DOXOLOGY UMH No. 95

*HYMN What Child Is This UMH No. 219

CANTATA

*Congregation standing, as you are able

December 18, 2016 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 10:00 a.m.

POINSETTIAS have been placed in our sanctuary by Bethany family and friends for the glory of God and to honor and remember loved ones this holiday season. If you

donated flowers you may pick them up after this morning’s worship service.

A 1940’S CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING Created by Don and Lorie Marsh

Drama by Paul Joiner Journey back to the 1940’s for a moving story of love and sacrifice. Lt. Edwin Berry is stationed overseas during World War II and has been chosen to celebrate Christmas with his wife and children for a special Christmas homecoming. He is later chosen by his Commander to go on a special solo rescue mission, making his homecoming impossible…possibly forever. Through this touching story, you will see the true meaning of God sending His Son to earth.

MUSICAL SELECTIONS

Overture Christmas Is the Best Time of the Year

This Christmas The Christmas Story (Medley)

God So Loved All is Calm, All Is Bright

Silent Night Finale

CAST

Bob Nardozzi—Announcer-USA Radio Voice of America Steve Wike—Lt. Eddie Berry-military officer Dawn Bontrager—Rose Berry-Eddie’s wife

Ellanah Daniel—Nita Berry-daughter of Rose and Eddie Alec Daniel—Gene Berry-son of Rose and Eddie

David Chapin—Command(CDR)-Executive Officer (XO) Lewis Marion—Jack-military soldier (Eddie’s friend)

Debbie Marion, Nancy Smith, Don Thomas & Bob Nardozzi—Harmonaires quartet Charla Barnard, Janet Chapin & Jeannie Harrell—Silver Belles Trio (Holly, Noel & Carol)

Chancel Choir—USO Singers

Lewis Marian, Kirk Bell, Jeremy Nardozzi: Sound and Set Rudy Shackelford: Pianist and Accompanist

Sandy Fox: Director

WELCOME, VISITORS! We are delighted to have you worship with us today. We invite you to participate as fully in our worship service as you feel comfortable. Bethany Church offers a full range of study and fellowship opportunities for children, youth, young adults, and older adults. Sunday school, in session from 9:45-10:45 a.m. each Sunday morning, features several different classes for adults, one class for youth, three classes for children, and a nursery. We invite you to come back to Bethany and get to know us better! For more information please visit www.bethanyumc-gp.org. OUR NURSERY — For the convenience of parents with small children, a nursery is provided during both worship services, as well as during the Sunday school hour. The maximum suggested age for the nursery is four years old. Please see an usher or greeter for directions.

OUR NURSERY — For the convenience of parents with small children, a nursery is provided during both worship services, as well as during the Sunday school hour. The maximum suggested age for the nursery is four years old. Please see an usher or greeter for directions. ALTAR FLOWERS are given for the glory of God and in honor of Pastor Debbie and Lewis by Clair and Sarah Hillard.

HAPPY WANDERERS – “ON THE ROAD AGAIN” ‒ Mark your calendars and make plans now to join us on Wednesday, January 18, as we travel to Riverside Dinner Theater in Fredericksburg to enjoy a delicious meal and the play, Million Dollar Quartet. See the December/January Banner or contact Judy Burner (aburner@cox.net or 804-642-6016) for more information.

DINNER 8 FELLOWSHIP – Signups are underway for the 2017 Dinner 8 Fellowship groups. For more information or to sign up, call the church office or contact Sarah Hillard at sahillard44@cox.net or 642-1680.

HOME BOUND MINISTRIES - Join us as we cook a Christmas meal for our shut-ins TOMORROW at 9:30 a.m. We need folks to deliver as well as cook.

THIS WEEK AT BETHANY UMC

TODAY 9:00 am Christmas Breakfast by UMM

10:00 am Cantata (Chancel Choir)

Monday, December 19 9:30 am Homebound Ministries

6:30 pm Scout Troop 75

7:00 pm Adult Bible Study

Tuesday, December 20 2:00 pm Rockin’ Readers

Thursday, December 22 10:00 am House of Prayer

Friday, December 23 OFFICE CLOSING AT NOON

Saturday, December 24 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Service – Lessons & Carols

11:00 pm Christmas Eve Service – Candlelight Communion

Sunday, December 25 10:00 am Christmas Worship

One Service Only

Monday, December 26 OFFICE CLOSED – CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

IT’S A BOY…AND A GIRL! -- Christmas came early to the Chapin family as Alex and Lauren Chapin became the proud parents of twins Henry & Hannah on December 7. Beaming grandparents are David and Janet Chapin. Henry was born at 4:11 a.m., weighing 4 lb. 14 oz. & 19 inches long. Hannah was hot on Henry’s heels, born at 4:13 a.m., weighing 6 lb. 2 oz. & 21 inches long. Congratulations to the Chapin family and thanks to God for His blessings! Cards may be sent to Alex and Lauren at 108 Tyler Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237-3744.

CARE MINISTRY will NOT meet this Thursday, December 22 or next Thursday, December 29. We will resume on Thursday, January 5 at 9:30 a.m. and invite YOU to come join us as we meet to pray for and encourage others by writing cards and notes to Bethany family and friends.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Bethany for the love and concern you have shown us during the extended illness and passing of our dad, Jack Poland. We have been overwhelmed by your kind words, phone calls, beautiful flowers, food, comforting cards of sympathy, and most especially, thank you for your prayers. We are so blessed to be a part of Bethany UMC. May God bless each of you. – The Poland/Lewis Family

Brothers and Sisters, Thank you for you faithfulness in supporting the ministries and missions of Bethany Church. Together we are making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! Financially 2016 has been the best year yet since I've been Finance Chair. Our bills, Apportionments and mission promises have been met and paid on time all year. We are a Tithing Church! The Trustees had another busy year keeping our church building and parsonage in great shape. We host many groups and organizations in our building yearly and are thankful that we have a beautiful and comfortable facility to offer to our community. We are a people who smile (some of us hug) and make visitors feel welcome. We encourage our neighbors to come and worship with us! Worshiping God with each of you is an honor! Please remember that Sunday, December 25th is the last Sunday of the year to make a tax deductible contribution to our church. Contact Bernard Robins if you have any questions about your Faith Promise. I pray that God will continue to bless each of you as you do His work! Blessings, Dolores Breen, Finance Committee Chair

STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON – Please make plans to join us on Sunday, January 8 for a covered dish luncheon honoring Bethany’s staff. The luncheon will be held immediately following the 11:00 service. More details to come.

The CHRISTMAS CARD MAILBOX has been set up in the hallway outside the church office for your convenience in sending postage-free Christmas cards to Bethany members. As you place your cards in the mailbox, please be sure to check for any cards you may have received. Merry Christmas!

Holiday Services & Happenings at Bethany UMC (Check calendar in Banner for additional events not listed)

TODAY Church-Wide Breakfast — 9 AM

Christmas Cantata —10 AM

Friday, December 23 OFFICE WILL BE CLOSING AT NOON

Saturday, December 24 Family Service (Lessons & Carols) — 7 PM Candlelight Communion Service — 11 PM

Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day Worship Service—10 AM

(one service only; no Sunday school)

Friday, December 30 OFFICE WILL BE CLOSING AT NOON

Monday, December 26

OFFICE CLOSED – Christmas Holiday

Sunday, January 1 New Year’s Day Service & Epiphany Celebration – 10 AM

(one service only; no Sunday school)

Monday, January 2 OFFICE CLOSED – New Year’s Holiday

Sunday, January 8 Staff Appreciation Covered Dish Lunch following 11:00 service

CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES FOR 2017 may be picked up in the narthex. Please make certain you pick up the pack with your name on it. If you received envelopes but do not need them, please return them to the church office so they can be reassigned. • If you were not assigned numbered envelopes for 2017, you may request them by contacting Bernard Robins (642-6412 or bdrobins@peoplepc.com). Non-members who regularly attend Bethany may also request numbered envelopes. • Please do not use 2016 envelopes after Sunday, December 25, 2016, and do not use 2017 envelopes before Sunday, January 1. • Donations are recorded by the Financial Secretary according to the date of the Sunday received; therefore, donations must be received no later than Sunday, December 25, 2016, to be credited for 2016.

BETHANY FAMILY

Roy & Darlene Bauschatz Bessie Conner Jerri Doggett

Ray and Alice Doggett Gene Harrell Kathy Jacobs

Katherine Jordan Archie Leigh Marshall Lewis

Peggy Lewis Jennie & Carroll Lipscomb Joy Long

Merle & Doris Luther Ken Matthews Paige Mitchell

Sue Morecock Neikirk Family Ted & Peggy Peterman

Mary Poland Marie Reynolds Jack Rollins

Tom Sawyer & family Zealon Stilley Jack Wallace

BETHANY FRIENDS

Scott Balderson Barbara Berry Sue Blake

Janie Blanchard Les & Jan Breen Kathi Christiansen

Trevor Claar Kristen Collier Jason Frederick

Jesse Green Ellis Hall Kevin Hernandez

Donna Kidd Fred Magee Harvey and Mary Helen Morgan

Evelyn Owens Mr. Palmer George Parkes

Rhonda Simmons Jan Towne Suzanne Trio

Annette Wilburn

ASSISTED LIVING

Gloucester House: Esther Marie Jordan, Rm 509 Jean Heywood, Rm 110

Bessie Emory, Rm 101 Ray Doggett, Rm 104

Sanders: Mary Field, Rm 101

Stonebridge N.C.: Gloria Wallace

Sunrise Senior Living: Pauline Harris

BUMC’S MILITARY

Todd Bontrager Michael Brown Peter Demetriades

Meagan Demetriades Lamont Johnson Josh Morris

Bernard Johnson Jim Minor Kyle Nichols

Kevin Jacobs Edward Bailey All military families

NOTE ON MUSIC FOR ADVENT

Our instrumental music for the fourth Sunday of Advent comprises one monumental work, Variations on a Noël by Marcel Dupré. Divided between the Meditation and Offertory, it consists of ten variations on the ancient French Christmas carol titled Noël Nouvelet (UMH No. 237). While it was written in 1922, Dupré’s piece pays homage to a school of organist-composers who flourished in France in the 17th and 18th centuries. Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue, Jean-François Dandrieu, Louis-Claude Daquin, and Claude Balbastre dazzled their audiences with brilliant improvisations and compositions based on carols from Provence, a region famous for medieval poetry and courtly traditions. Although the composition of noëls ended with the French Revolution, this delightful genre was revived in the late 19th century by César Franck and Alexandra Guilmant and reached its apotheosis with Dupré’s Variations on a Noël. Having won the coveted Grand Prix de Rome in 1914, Dupré began his rise to fame with international recital tours in which he performed the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach from memory — an astonishing feat which had been Dupré’s ambition since childhood! His Variations on a Noël is patterned on Bach’s “Goldberg” Variations insofar as freely written variations alternate with strict canons. Dupré’s sovereign mastery of Bachian counterpoint is particularly impressive in the finale, Variation No. 10, where at one point the fugue subject derived from the carol tune is played at three different tempos simultaneously. This passage leads to an overpowering climax on full organ that evokes the cascading peals of a great carillon. In the opening statement of the theme and the following nine variations, Dupré explores a fascinating range of emotions and tone-colors building inevitably to the climax just described. From the most subdued and somber to piquant, scintillating registrations, the music makes cunning use of the organ’s full resources — in this case, the French Romantic organ developed by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, which puts a virtual symphony orchestra at the organist’s hands and feet. Such an instrument Marcel Dupré commanded at the Church of St. Sulpice in Paris from 1934 until his death at age 85 in 1971.

— Rudy Shackelford

DINNER 8

FELLOWSHIP

It’s time to SIGN UP for 2017 DINNER 8 FELLOWSHIP!

What is DINNER 8 FELLOWSHIP? DINNER 8 FELLOWSHIP is a fun, relaxing way to get to know other members of the congregation on a more personal level, as you share a meal together.

Who can participate in DINNER 8 FELLOWSHIP? It’s open to couples and singles of ALL ages.

How does DINNER 8 FELLOWSHIP work? Participants are divided into groups of 8 and have dinner together in someone’s home, a restaurant, a park…anywhere the group decides. When in a home, everyone brings a dish as requested by the hostess. Group members (couple/single) take turns planning and hosting. Each group decides on how often you get together throughout the year (we suggest that you try to get together at least 4 times). Each group’s plans are based on the “make-up” of the group (kids, no kids, etc.). When planning with your group, be considerate of others’ needs. The most important thing is to use the time together to get to know each other, versus how many times you get together.

When does DINNER 8 FELLOWSHIP begin? NOW…just complete the information below and drop in the offering plate.

OFFICIAL DINNER 8 FELLOWSHIP KICK-OFF COVERED DISH DINNER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017 AT 6:00 P.M.

After the groups are selected, each group will have their first official meal together. Don’t forget to bring your calendar so plans can begin for your 2017 DINNER 8 FELLOWSHIP group.

- - - - - - COMPLETE INFO, TEAR & PLACE IN OFFERING PLATE - - - - -

NAME: _______________________________________________________________________

CONTACT NUMBER: _______________________________________________________

Another round of applause for all involved in the Children's Christmas Program which was performed on Sunday, December 11th. The production was so enjoyable and every one of the cast did beautifully! Our Bethany UMC family was beaming with the true spirit of Christmas! Please accept my heartfelt thanks to those of you that support the Children's Ministry of Bethany that make programs like this possible. To all of the many helpers that assisted in the production and the "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" party that followed; your efforts made the day run like clock work! Thank you to all for a most memorable day in the life of our young ones, their families and all those in attendance. Merry Christmas, Kris