Mt. Bethel Blog

Video of June 28 Encounter Sermon: “God’s View of Sin”

Posted: July 1, 2009

Minister: Rev. Jody Ray

Scripture: Mark 12:28-33

Taking Christ to the Nations

Posted: July 1, 2009

What do Kenya, Macedonia, Costa Rica, Estonia, Honduras, Romania, Scotland, and West Virginia all have in common? They are all places Mt. Bethel UMC is sending mission teams this summer. Ten different teams are preparing as I write this, to be God’s messengers throughout the world this summer.

We think of summer as a time of relaxation and a time to get away. Those are great things to do, but a number of our church members have chosen to make it a time to get away with God and to get away to serve others. During this summer God is calling these servants to care for those who are in need and show Christ’s love.

Here is just a taste of the kinds of ministry that will go on in these countries:

In Kenya we will work for the first time in the medical center we partnered to build in Kwambekenya. We will begin training pastors in evangelism & leadership as well as working in the schools, providing sports recreation and continuing with work projects.

In Macedonia they will be providing meals to the elderly through their meals on wheels program, as well as building needed facilities.

In Costa Rica we are doing Bible school for the children at a local Methodist Church and providing much needed structural repairs.

In Estonia we will be ministering to over 100 young people as well as providing an outreach program to the community with a camp meeting-like atmosphere.

In Honduras we will be providing medical care miles from the nearest hospital, as well as working at local elementary school, teaching Bible school.

In Romania, through Life Academy, we will be providing training for young adults who have no family in order for them to gain necessary life skills. They will also work with young children in rural settings and provide construction to local churches in need. We are sending another team to Romania to work with Deborah House, a home for abused girls. They will be doing repairs, providing Christian education to these women as well as those in a state orphanage.

In Scotland we will be doing outreach and relational evangelism as we minister to those in the community through sports and children’s activities.

In West Virginia, a team is going to help provide clothes to those in need and help this local mission as it goes out into the community.

With this long list I am still leaving out a number of things. I share all this with you, as Mt. Bethel members, so you can be in prayer for these many mission teams throughout the summer. Also, that you will know a little bit about how Mt. Bethel, through God’s love, is putting “Compassion Into Action” throughout the globe.

To read more about how God is transforming His people through a vision to put compassion into action, go my blog about “The Heart of a Church.”

Rev. Carey Akin

Video of June 28 Traditional Sermon: “All In”

Posted: June 30, 2009

Minister: Rev. Diane Parrish

Scripture: Mark 12:28-33

Video of June 21 Encounter Sermon: “It’s Time to Deal With It”

Posted: June 24, 2009

Minister: Rev. Jody Ray

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Video of June 21 Traditional Sermon: “My Husband, My Father”

Posted: June 23, 2009

Minister: Rev. Diane Parrish

Scripture: Colossians 3:21

This summer at Mt. Bethel our elementary children will be “serving” it up for Jesus!

Posted: June 23, 2009

At 9:30 am during Sunday School children will explore various Bible characters, stories, and scriptures that focus on “serving”. The same lesson focus will then go into Camp S.P.L.A.T. where kids will learn how to look for these Biblical truths in their everyday lives.

Each week children are challenged to take the lesson beyond the classroom and worship on Sunday out into their community and live it every day of the week. Here’s how you can help…look for opportunities to teach your children what it means to serve. Discuss opportunities, foster conversations, and share time in prayer seeking areas that you and your entire family can shine the light of Jesus through service and love!

Here’s the challenge! Each elementary-aged grade (Kindergarten-5th grade) will have a bulletin board with the outline of a tree in the Education Building (F). Each child will be given the opportunity to trace their hand (during Sunday School) and share how they “served” during the week. Each grade will post their handprints on their grade level tree and watch the tree transform from a bare outline to a tree filled with serving hands and hearts that share the love of Jesus Christ!

Putting God first and “serving” up a summer of fun, fellowship, and learning about a mighty God that wants us to join him everyday! Join us on Sunday mornings where we will be “serving” up S.P.L.A.T.itude!

Kids learn what it means to Serve like Jesus served (John 13:12-17)
Pray like Jesus taught his disciples to pray (Matthew 6:9-13)
Love God and others (Luke 10:27)
And
Share the gift they have received by Teaching others about the power and love of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)

See you Sunday morning!
Your Children’s Ministry Team
Dianne, Sherri, Janis and Susan

Father Daught Sock Hop

Posted: June 16, 2009

Hanes T-shirts and letter Jackets were clearly on display as Dads relived youthful memories and danced with their princesses at the Father Daughter Sock Hop Saturday night in Fellowship Hall. From the Pink Cadillac backdrop to balloon arches to cotton candy to ice cream sundaes to hamburgers and French fries, Dads and daughters rock and rolled into the early evening hours.

Brandon Rushin outdid himself as the DJ and his hula hoop contest was one for the ages. A loud and boisterous thank you to Dave and Christie DeDona for organizing this event and the Men’s Leadership Group for a thousand laughs around the helium machine as they built the balloons arch.

Check out tons of pictures from the event here!

Mike Boyce

Video of June 14 Encounter Sermon: “Temptation”

Posted: June 16, 2009

Minister: Rev. Jody Ray

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6

Video of June 14 Traditional Sermon: “Get Back in the Race”

Posted: June 16, 2009

Minister: Rev. Diane Parrish

Scripture: Acts 20:24

Video of June 7 Encounter Sermon: “Sin: The Real Truth”

Posted: June 10, 2009

Minister: Rev. Jody Ray

Scripture: Romans 8:32