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

danceHanes 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

Change

Posted: June 10, 2009

Our Administrative Council adopted the proposed operating budget presented by the Finance and Staff-Parish committees. The adopted 2009-2010 operating budget reflects a $1,451,875.00 reduction from the 2008 operating budget. The new budget stands at $8,400,000. We are changing ministry programs and have reduced our staff by 17 positions to meet our new operating budget.

Mt. Bethel’s four pillars of excellence, regarding ministry, are Worship, Children, Students, and Missions. To strengthen these pillars of ministry we are “shifting” some things about each ministry. Our Encounter and Live It Live worship services will share the same space beginning this fall. We will shift Live It Live to the 9:30 hour, allowing the K through 3rd grade to go to Sunday School at 11:00. Our 4th & 5th graders will experience their own worship and Sunday School. Beginning this Sunday, our traditional service will be “blended,” less formal (no robes), and will have Rev. Robert McMichael as our worship leader. We will also use the screens during hymns, allowing us to sing some of our old favorites and new favorites not in the current hymnal.

Mt. Bethel’s Missions ministry will receive ten (10%) percent of the pledged operating budget, totaling $679,235 for domestic and international ministries. Additionally, the Conference Missions is $400,000.

Our Children’s and Student’s ministries will remain as strong as ever, thanks to generous specified givings by some of our members.

There will be a shift away from our traditional focus on older adults with special needs to that of active older adults. This ministry will no longer employ a staff and will depend upon volunteers.

Mt. Bethel’s Communications and TV ministries will experience limited use because staff has been reduced.

Mt. Bethel’s Ministerial staff and key leaders voluntarily reduced salaries by 10%. Additionally, Ministerial staff will be reduced by one (Rev. Lance will be on disability) and our part-time ministers will experience a reduction in salaries.

Please understand this will not be the final publication or discussion of changes. This is simply where we stand today. Our Staff-Parish, Finance, Executive Committees, and Administrative Council deserve our appreciation and support for their hard work and long hours during this challenging time. Thank you for your cooperation in advance of some changes that will probably affect everyone’s comfort zone. We are God’s children, bonded in love, seeking to strengthen the Cause of Christ, advancing the Kingdom of God. May His grace and guidance comfort and strengthen us as we together serve our Lord.

Randy Mickler
Senior Pastor

Missions Spotlight: Opportunity Knocks for Youth

Posted: June 9, 2009

Opportunity Knocks for Youth provides support to young people 13-19 years old who are from low-income families, foster care and group homes. Charged with a mission to empower these teens to complete their education and become self-sufficient citizens, OK4Youth partnerships are essential and include government agencies, school systems, foster care group homes and individuals.

In 2008, through the generosity of donors and volunteers, we expanded to include three foster group homes and disadvantaged youth living in the Franklin Road Community. We provide one-on-one mentoring; educational support and monitoring; and life/work skills programs. But most importantly we provide hope and support to these teens as they continue their life journey – we show them how to reach for their dreams. 2009 has proved to be challenging in receiving adequate financial support.

In Georgia there are more than 14,000 children in foster care and only 15% are expected to graduate from high school. OK4Youth participants had a 75% graduation rate in 2008 with teens now attending Georgia Southern University, Albany State University and Chattahoochee Technical College.

Our program is working.

If you would like more information please call Executive Director Dale Champion at 678-641-1968 or visit our website, www.ok4youth.org.