Mt. Bethel Blog

Start spreading the news… Manhattan Melodies Rocked the House!

Posted: September 30, 2008

 

Last Saturday night the combined student choirs One-A-Chord and Crossfire joined forces with other church talents to bring a night of fun, food, fellowship and Broadway entertainment like Mt. Bethel has never seen!

The event started as choir students served a delicious Tapas-style meal to over 280 guests who bought tickets in an effort to raise funds for their choir tour. Students sang and danced to hits such as 42nd Street, New York, New York and Lullaby of Old Broadway. And if that was not enough, the crowd was thrilled to have Associate Ministers Diane Parrish and Vaughn Stafford each share a solo number and then nearly bring the audience to tears with their duet “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera.

Music interns John Brown and Matthew Sparkman provided a bit of comedic relief while Drama director Brittany Leazer donned a cowboy boots and hat and shared a solo from Annie Get Your Gun. The Kingsman were kind to add a spirited number from South Pacific and Youth Choir Director Suzanne Tucker even joined in the fun with a solo from Guys and Dolls.  Sprinkled throughout the Three Act evening, several students were able to spotlight their Broadway talents with solo performances from Katie Hollenshead, Jenna Meredith, Samantha Rascle, Kevin Geiger, Savannah Perdue and a duet with Alexa Combs and Laura Shepherd.

The final number was a joint effort with both the Middle and High school choirs sharing “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray which was the perfect topper to the evening of tapas! The event was a huge hit with not only the students and the audience… but the Youth Choir Budget as well! Thanks to the addition of a successful silent auction, this evening of entertainment raised over $4000 to help offset cuts in the department.

With all of the food, music and excitement of New York’s Broadway without having to leave East Cobb, perhaps Mt. Bethel will make this an annual event!

“The Bucket List” in Encounter

Posted: September 30, 2008

 

Sunday, September 28th in Encounter we began a four week journey with the movie “The Bucket list.”  It is a powerful movie about two grown men who are faced with the profound news that they have less than a year to live due to cancer.  This movie has captured the thoughtful mind and tender heart of millions and opened up a wonderful dialog opportunity for us.  I invite you to the table to engage in this discussion. 

For Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, the discussion reveals a “Bucket list” that includes:  skydiving, a tattoo, driving a Shelby Mustang, kissing the most beautiful girl in the world, seeing something majestic, helping a complete stranger for the good and laughing until they cry.  We too will laugh and cry as we add our voice to the conversation.

The questions for this week I would love to have your feedback on are:

 

• What is on your “Bucket List”?
• What is the most majestic thing you have witnessed?
• What is the thing you have most wanted in your life?  Please feel free to be as deep or shallow as you would like on this question.
• What would you do if you were given one year to live with no financial blocks in place?
• What makes life matter and last?
• What is holding you back from doing something amazing in your life?

 

Read Luke 4:14-22

As I read Dr. Luke’s gospel account of Jesus’ message and mission it is clear that Jesus was all about others.  He seeks to preach good news, announce pardon, give sight, set the enslaved free and proclaim God’s year to act for others.

If we are to have a life that matters and lasts we will find it most powerfully when our agenda aligns with Jesus’ agenda.

I encourage you to join me over the next three weeks as we explore “Two critical questions”, “taking a leap” and “Avoiding the Unavoidable”.

If you missed last week (or miss a week in the future), you can always download the sermon via our Podcast.

Vaughn

Video from the East Cobber Parade

Posted: September 30, 2008

Mt Bethel UMC was well represented in this years 2008 East Cobber Parade. The “Live It Live!” float, a real crowd pleaser, led the way with the “Live It Live!” Band and the “Live It Live!” dancers along with Russell the Race Guy, Miss Deone and Miss Jane.

Following “Live It Live!” was Mt Bethel’s own Ann D’Agostino, “Ms. Georgia Senior”. And finally, the Mt Bethel Christian Academy featuring MBCA students and teachers, accompanied by headmaster Dr. Bob Burris and principal Vivian Lovett, with the MBCA Cheerleaders and mascot.

Enjoy the video!

Children’s Ministry issues first edition of SPLAT SPOTLIGHT

Posted: September 23, 2008

The first issue of the SPLAT SPOTLIGHT has been issued as is available for download. This short newsletter highlights the Children’s Ministry at Mt. Bethel UMC with upcoming events and opportunities. SPLAT stands for Serve, Pray, Love and Teach and you will hear it quite often in Children’s Ministry – because that is what we’re about! We strive to display and teach SPLATitude and make it fun for the kids to know about. Be sure to read the current issue of SPLAT SPOTLIGHT to learn more about:

Wednesday Night ADVENTure study beginning October 15, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Register online, cost is $10.

Not so scary Trunk Or Treat is Friday, October 31, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Come in costume, bring candy to share and join in the fun. Cost is FREE. Hot dogs and condiments provided.

Children who participate in Sunday morning or Wednesday nights at Mt. Bethel will have the opportunity to help with missions programs. Our program is called Kids in Motion and throughout the year we provide resources for kids to make gifts, donate materials, write letters and more.

Children’s Ministry is always in need of volunteers. We have over 100 leaders involved on Sunday mornings and more are needed. We need administrative and computer help as well as teachers and facilitators. Contact Dianne Hylton to find out where you might be plugged in. We need the Mt. Bethel village to wrap up these children with the love of Jesus!

Susan

Mt. Bethel Christian Academy Book Fair

Posted: September 23, 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen – Start your Engines! The Reading Road Trip Book Fair is fast approaching!

You will have the opportunity to purchase books for preschoolers, children, youth and some adult books at the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy Book Fair.  We will have a large assortment of books to entice your every need, including a large variety of Christmas books and cookbooks.  Books may be purchased with cash, check or credit cards (Discover, Visa, Master Card, and American Express).  Profits from the book fair are used to build the collection of print and non-print materials for the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy Media Center for our students and faculty.

The book fair will be held in the Academy Media Center at the following dates/times:

• Monday, Sept 29 – Thursday, Oct 2
  • 7:45am – 3:30pm
• Friday, Oct 3
  • 7:45am – 12:00pm
• Family Shopping! Tuesday, Sept 30 and Wednesday, Oct 1
  • 5:00-7:00pm

Video of September 21 Traditional Sermon: “The Shack Revisited: Redeemed for What?”

Posted: September 23, 2008

Minister: Dr. Randy Mickler
Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5 and John 14:1-7
Length: 16:51
More information and discussion area

Photos from St. Philip Field Dedication

Posted: September 22, 2008

It was an exciting day at St. Philip UMC yesterday, as the new fields were officially dedicated.  There was a great turnout for the ceremony, with beautiful weather to make it a wonderful day!

St. Philip will offer co-ed soccer for K-2nd graders and co-ed flag football for 3rd-5th graders, starting this week.

Here are 81 pictures from the festivities.  Enjoy!

Live it Live! in the East Cobb Parade

Posted: September 19, 2008

In addition to our Christian Academy being in the parade, Mt. Bethel’s “Live It Live!” Worship Team will participate in the East Cobber Parade Saturday, September 20th at 9am. The parade route starts at Mt. Bethel Elementary and ends at Olde Towne shopping center on Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta.

Come cheer on the “Live It Live!” float featuring the “Live It Live!” Band along with your favorite characters and the “Live It Live!” Kids. This is the third year “Live It Live!” has been part of this amazing parade and we look forward to seeing you there!

Your “Live It Live!” Worship Team

Mt. Bethel Christian Academy in the East Cobb Parade

Posted: September 19, 2008

The Academy is excited about participating in this years East Cobber Parade. Many of our students including our cheerleaders and athletes will be marching on Saturday. Our head of school, lower school principal, and athletic director will be riding in cars and an MBCA float, carrying our mascot, is sure to be a hit.

Join us for this great community building event as we let our neighborhood know that we are here to serve!

Dr. Bob Burris, Head of School
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy

Video of September 14 Traditional Sermon: “The Shack Revisited: Whose Judgment?”

Posted: September 18, 2008

Minister: Dr. Randy Mickler
Scripture: Matthew 5:21-22, 25:31-46
Length: 23:49
More information and discussion area