Now what?  The journey begins, the book is their own, what will they do with it?

I remember my very first Bible…it was white with a gold lamb embossed on it and gold lined pages.  I was told it was a very special book and I was to take very special care of it.  Okay, I followed the rules! I did just that, I took very good care of it.  I was afraid to open the cover, it might bend the binding.  I was afraid to touch the delicate pages, it might tear them.  I was afraid to peal the pages apart from each other for it might ruin my new Bible, my gift.  It wasn’t until years later, as an adult, that same Bible laid on a bookcase in my home and a friend said…”what a beautiful Bible, too bad it has never been opened”.  Well, that comment really stuck with me and I realized my Bible is a treasure and I didn’t know what the gift was until I bent back the cover, touched each page, and pealed back the gift of God’s mighty word.

Years later I understand the treasure and long to leave a legacy for my children of a Bible filled with prayer, notes, and a life lived as a follower of Jesus Christ.  We can’t possibly teach your child about the Bible in 4 hours, but we can get them started on the adventure of a lifetime as they “Unlock the Mystery of the Bible” from 6:00-10:00pm on Friday September 5th.  Children will visit four different libraries-God’s Mighty Acts, Judges and Kings, Prophets and Gospel Writers, and Acts and Letters as they explore the treasure of God’s word and learn to decode scripture by book, chapter, and verse.  The evening will be complete with food, fun, fellowship and an adventure to grow on!  See you there!

Your Children’s Ministry Team-Dianne, Sherri, Janis and Susan!

Sunday School Coaches/Assistant Coaches
Each class needs adult leaders to tell stories, lead conversation, and engage children in learning the Good News. We have 4 classes for each age/grade, and each class needs at least 2 adults. Some couples are able to team teach and alternate weeks of service. Elementary classes (Kindergarten - 5th grade) meet at 9:30, and Preschool Classes (ages 2-4) meet at 9:30 or 11.

Logistics Team Members
Every Sunday we need volunteers to pass out roll books, track attendance, assist with security issues, and support our coaches. Team members serve on a rotating schedule each month. Service times are 9:15 – 10:30 (Elementary or Preschool) and 10:30 – Noon (Preschool).

Computer Check in Station Volunteers
We’re using our technology for better ministry in our preschool areas. Computer check in prints name tags with security information, tracks visitors, and processes attendance. We offer training for volunteers to keep the computers running, and assist visitors. Stations are manned in downstairs and upstairs preschool halls, and in the narthex for God’s Garden. Volunteers needed for the preschool at 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. or 10:45 – 11:15 a.m.

God’s Garden Volunteers
Children ages 3-5 can attend Sanctuary worship with their parents at 9:30 or 11. During the service, children are invited forward for Moments with the Minister, then dismssed to Room A35 below the Sanctuary for fun with Farmer Joe. While parents of attendees are assigned to serve on a rotating schedule, we need regular volunteers to assist with computer check in, escort children to God’s Garden, and assist in crowd control and pick up during the program.

SPLAT University: Wednesday Night Leaders
Wednesday Night programs begin August 20. We need adult leaders in preschool and young Elementary. We also need parent volunteers for mother/daughter and father/son small groups for 4th and 5th graders. Logisitics volunteers assist with check in, name tags, and attendance.

If you are interested, or you would like more information, please contact:
Logistics: Dianne Hylton
Preschool: Janis Caverlee
Elementary: Sherri Juliani

On Friday evening the children performed “Aristocats, Kids” and did a wonderful job.  They almost made the audience think they had rehearsed for six weeks, not just one week! Mt. Bethel’s Music Week has become a highlight of the summer for many children in the church and in the community!

Beth Irwin
Director of Children’s Choirs

It’s not always high numbers that count. I truly believe the Lord works in ways they may not fit our human logic. Sometimes God may use 30 people to save 4 people. But, we don’t know what those 4 people may go on to do in life once saved. Now that I think about it, I may have heard this in sermon, but now I have seen it happen!

This week during VBS at St. Philip we had about 30 volunteers come and provide dinner, song and worship, bible stories, games and crafts. We had an average of about 22 children over four nights join us, mostly 10 – 12 year olds. Every one of them learned something about Jesus. On the last night we had four of the children give their hearts to Jesus. It was powerful to watch their arms go up in the air.

Each of the four was given their first bible. I watched one boy stroke his new book like it was the finest thing he had ever been given, and of course it is! He turned the pages carefully, looked up scripture, and then proudly read it out loud. It was amazing!

And as a bonus, thank you God, good fellowship and fun was had by all the volunteers too. The spirit is building at St. Philip!

Maren Vick

Pictures! Check out a bunch of pictures from last week’s VBS at St. Philip.

In Christ,
Sparky & Jon, Music Ministry Interns

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We are BACK! Camp INFUSION was great. GOD MOVED throughout the week in the kids, leaders, band and speaker.  WE ARE PRAISING OUR GOD FOR A WONDERFUL WEEK, GOD IS SO COOL! We also appreciate the support of all the parents and volunteers who gave of their time and prayers.

The first night of camp we all hung out, met our “UNITS” and then rocked out with SERAPH (the band). The excitement was contagious as everyone headed back to the cabins to try and get some sleep. In cabins 11& 12 (my cabins), it was tough to go to sleep with all the stories being told, laughter, and energy that was still reverberating from the band’s amazing kick off.

We started each morning off the right way, with our focus on Jesus!  We discussed the importance of quiet time and then had some quiet time where we read lyrics and sat and listened to what God might have to say to us through those lyrics. Later we met again with our UNIT to create an army cadence to show our team spirit. The afternoon consisted of extreme blobs during free time, a hike to the waterfall, etc. That night was our first time to experience the message from Rob. He challenged us to lose our survivor mentality and let God take control.

We kicked off the next two days in similar fashion, except this time we were able to listen to songs during our morning devotional. Fierce UNIT competition continued with shaving cream pictionary and egg creek crossing. At night Rob went into the armor of God (Eph. 6: 10-17) and he went into detail on how we need to use the defensive weapons to stand up for our faith.

Thursday was sadly our last and final full day at INFUSION but the Big Red Ball made a smashing appearance! UNIT competition was intense, with the bananas squeaking out a victory in an epic relay race. The Mt. Bethel staff/ adults proudly brought home a win against the camp Winfield staff. But the day belonged to the ORANGE team (OJ the Christian way) who won the UNIT competition and were crowned champions! Rob concluded his series with a message on the offensive weapons of God, prayer and the bible. After the message the campers were sent to their cabins to write two “love” letters to people who have had an impact on their lives.

Our prayer for all our youth that came to camp is that they will continue to grow their faith and they will know that the leaders pray for them still. Thank you parents for trusting us with your children. I know that I personally did not have any problems with my cabin or unit which is a testimony to how they have been raised. I hope that I have helped give a little insight to our camping experience and I hope your student or students had fun fellowshipping with each other and growing their faith.  Thank you again, to God be the glory!

- Drew Peters (Middle School Intern – aka Captain D)

Thank you to each of the women who took time out of their schedules to participate in this mission project!

Mary Allphin, thank you so much for keeping the ball rolling to the right people and for passing along this wonderful mission opportunity!

Cindy Stafford, thank you for getting the nursery help organized!

Cathy Fletcher, thank you for organizing this event on behalf of the Abundant Life Circle.  It was such a great opportunity to work beside women in the Wings Circle and others that just wanted to help.  We had at least 3 “neighbors” of church members who wanted to come help and also brought their children!

The Children were an amazing help and scurried around the entire time loading the lunch bags, decorating bags, or making sandwiches!  Thanks to the Moms who provided this opportunity for their children!

Finally, thank you to Jan Miller and the kitchen staff for getting us perfectly stocked for this event!

There likely are other roles and people involved that we have failed to thank.   Please pass along our gratitude to them!   How touching and inspiring to experience the outpouring of our church community and beyond, and to be a part of the nourishment we have been able to provide to so many children!

Kelley Costantino and Allison Redhead
Incoming Abundant Life Circle Co-Chairs

God’s richest blessings to you.
Cindy

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Oh what a mighty God we serve!

We watched upper elementary students build relationships with their upcoming student ministry leaders, we watched college interns connect with students, we watched parents that volunteered their service connect with their children and their peers.  Several parent leaders ministered side by side with their adult child.  God used different generations to build relationships at the foot of the Cross!

I am thankful for the opportunity to partner with Dianne, Sarah Beth, Justin and Chris in prayer, planning, and preparation for an amazing week of ministry at Camp Infusion!  What a testimony to see the Holy Spirit at work!

Our prayer is that this week of basic training (2 Timothy 3:16) ignites each student’s desire to grow in relationship through a life of prayer, wisdom through study of the Holy Bible, continued fellowship with the Body of Christ, and an overflowing love that only our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can fill their hearts with.

To God be the glory!

Sherri

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WOW!

What a fantastic week we had at Infusion Camp.  I wish you all could have been there.

It was an inspiring week.  A week where we invested our time with the students and made new friends and built new relationships.

Rob Perry, the speaker and Seraph, the band ingrained the work of God into our hearts and minds.
The students spirits were ignited to go and share the word of God with the world in service to our Lord.

My prayer is that we walked away with hearts, minds and souls ingrained with God’s word and joyfully commit to be contagious with our faith in Jesus. I believe that we accomplished that.

Thanks to Sarah Beth for leading a terrific team, the Sherri for an ultimate unit time where we work together in teams to make missions happen, to Justin who never fails to bring joy and fun to the group and to Chris for the games that will forever be in our memories.

What a pleasure being able to be a part of a new adventure in the Mt Bethel UMC ever expanding ways.

Love,
Dianne Hylton