Mt. Bethel Blog

Video of January 31 Traditional Sermon: “Women, According to God” – First in Series: “Whole-Hearted Love”

Posted: February 2, 2010

Minister: Rev. Diane Parrish

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24

Video of January 31 Contemporary Sermon: “A Christ-Like Marriage” – Second in Series: “Whole-Hearted Love”

Posted: February 2, 2010

Minister: Rev. Jody Ray

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-24

The Bridge in Bolivia

Posted: February 2, 2010

This past year, some of you may remember hearing about a team of Mt. Bethel men that helped to build a bridge in Bolivia. We worked hard and long often late into the evening, but we didn’t finish the bridge. As Americans, that is hard for us – we are use to getting the job done. The crazy part is that we didn’t even plan to finish it. What’s the point in starting a bridge you don’t have the time to finish? After all, a bridge that doesn’t go all the way across is obviously not a bridge at all. But what we went to do is more than build a bridge. It really has to do with what God really wants to build. It can be summoned up in one word: relationships. God builds His kingdom when we build a relationship with Him and others. One of the high moments of the Bolivian trip for me was when all the Americans and all the Bolivians pulled the cable across the ravine. We took one step at a time pulling together until the cable was tight across the river. After we finished, there were smiles, high fives, and pictures – all because we did it together! That is how life is when it is the way God wants it to be. We bring our gifts and our weaknesses, our similarities and our differences, and if we work together as one body, we begin to build up the body of Christ.

We are going back soon, and we will see the bridge finished. Our Bolivian brothers continued to labor long after we were gone. They didn’t need us to finish the bridge; they simply needed us to share the burden, to show them that someone cared, and to know that others willing to help. This year we will return and begin to build again. This time it will be in the village. Our friends in Bolivia have already written to let us know how excited they are we are coming again. Not so much because of the new project but because we will be together again to help the community we all love. High in the Andes Mountains, hundreds of miles from anything we would call developed civilization and yet there it is. People just like us, who love, live, and hope for a better future. People who are made in the image of God, just like us. That is the beauty of God’s kingdom so diverse, and yet we are all the same, with the same needs and in need of the same God.

Relationships in the image of Christ is what God has called us to. This year we have called people to “GO to the least and the lost.” The call is not to GO and do something, but rather that we would GO and be someone. Be the image of Christ. Loving others, serving others, sharing with others, is all a picture of the Christ’s kingdom.

Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34

Since I have been the Missions Pastor at Mt. Bethel we have helped to build a school classroom, a bridge, a medical clinical, 4 houses and lots of renovations of various kinds. All of these projects have made a difference to those who were in need, but they can’t begin to compare with the relationships that were built as we worked together. I have discovered brothers and sisters with deep faith in the midst of real poverty. I have discovered my own spiritual poverty and been blessed by those who have a deep faith to count on God for their daily bread. God continues to build a kingdom, not like the one you and I would build it. He is not so concerned about how quickly it is built, He has all eternity. He is not even overly concerned about the end results (if we do it God’s way, the results take care of themselves). He is more concerned about the journey we take with others along the way which leads to His kingdom. As we GO in Jesus’ name and take the time to build relationships we see a bridge being built. This bridge reaches across poverty and wealth, sickness and health, cultures and all of creation to build relationships that will last for eternity with the one who created us for Him and for others.

It won’t be long until once again I am talking to Ben Ho and Issac (brothers in Bolivia) and am once again reminded that God is a God of relationships. It is my prayer that we would continue to grow as a church as we build relationships, especially to the least and the lost who need God’s love the most. If we will humble ourselves before God and confess our own inward poverty, God will fill us and cause us all to build an incredible bridge with brothers and sisters across the world for His Kingdom and His Glory. Thanks to so many of you in our community and in different parts of the world for answering the call to build this bridge together.

Update on “The Garden” with Seven Bridges to Recovery

Posted: January 29, 2010

Just a few weeks ago – through one simple prayer request, by one church member, in one small group – God moved our church to be His hands and feet. Compelled by the Spirit of God, Mt. Bethel moved quickly to help “The Garden,” a womens & childrens homeless shelter that was about to be shut down because of fire code violations. The resources just weren’t there, but that is never a limitation for God.

Pastor Seven, the pastor of “Seven Bridges to Recovery Ministry” and founder of “The Garden,” had been praying for some time that God would provide the resources (financial as well as people) for bringing everything up to code as well as renovating the basement to allow for additional women and children who currently don’t have a place to stay.

It has been amazing to watch so many people give so selflessly of their gifts and resources and to witness the joy that they have experienced by allowing God to work through them. It has also been wonderful for many of them to work alongside the very ones they came to help and to see a picture of the body of Christ (young and old, rich and poor) serve together to assure that these women and children would have a warm place to stay and a hope for the future. Much construction is underway, but we have just begun as we continue to work on needed improvements and, more importantly, deep relationships with the people of Seven Bridges and The Garden.

Here is an update of the construction to date:

Permits were approved, the new roof is complete, which should last twenty years or more (no more leaks), and the sprinkler and fire alarm construction have been started. The basement is being cleaned out and will be renovated and partitioned to house 20+ single moms and their children. Plans are being completed for the chapel renovation. It is amazing what God’s people can do. Through your donations, time, and service, this ministry is opening new doors to serve the least and the lost.

If you would like to lend a hand in any way, please contact Ben Hornsby.

4th & 5th Grade Life Groups Help Haiti

Posted: January 26, 2010

The 4th/5th grade Life Groups supported Mt. Bethel’s packing of health kids for Haiti. Here’s what an adult leader had to say:

“It was such a healing opportunity for these kids, they were all very aware of the devastation and their hearts were heavy with the images that they have seen on the news. It was an excellent opportunity for the kids and their parents to put their compassion into action and eventhough it seemed like such a small token in the midst of such need, somehow it brought joy to their hearts to know that they were actually active in doing something to reach out. It was a hands on way to put their prayers, heart, and love in a box knowing God would take care of it for them. What a witness to see hearts of children being nurtured in their faith, put it in motion, and see the power of servant leadership. It was a privilege and blessing.”

Video of January 24 Traditional Sermon: “True Parenting” – First in Series: “Whole-Hearted Love”

Posted: January 26, 2010

Minister: Dr. Randy Mickler

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:31-33

Video of January 24 Contemporary Sermon: “True Parenting” – First in Series: “Whole-Hearted Love”

Posted: January 26, 2010

Minister: Rev. Jody Ray

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Video of January 17 Traditional Sermon: “The Challenge of His Call”

Posted: January 20, 2010

Minister: Dr. Randy Mickler

Scripture: John 17:14-23

5 Questions Determine the Level of Commitment

1. Can you point out some fruits which God has been able to produce in your life over the past year?
2. Is your hunger for God great enough that you will spend a portion of your day for learning purposes and allow God to speak to you?
3. Have you reached the point where you live by the promises of God instead of your feelings?
4. Are you a generous giver?
5. Are you committed in your relationships, exemplifying Godly ways?

Video of January 17 Contemporary Sermon: “Counterfeit Christianity”

Posted: January 20, 2010

Minister: Rev. Jody Ray

Scripture: I John 2:7-17

Children’s Consignment and Baked Goods Sale

Posted: January 20, 2010

Mt. Bethel UMC’s
Spring 2010
Children’s Consignment and Baked Goods Sale

Join us as 400 sellers come together, twice a year, to sell clothing, furniture, equipment and much more. All proceeds go to local and global missions benefiting the needs of families and children.

Sale Dates and Times
Friday, March 12, 2010, 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 13, 2010, 9 a.m. – 12 noon
**No strollers allowed on the sales floor until 12:00 pm.
Loving childcare is offered for $3.00 per hour per child in the nursery.

Consignor Registration Opens-Monday, February 1st- 6:00 AM
Volunteer Registration Opens-Monday February 1st-6:00 AM

* More information on mtbethelccs.com