With July 4th quickly approaching, maybe you too are thinking of our great nation and the freedoms we enjoy here. Each day I receive an email from the Presidential Prayer Team with a bible verse and a prayer. Daily I pray that God would bless America, our leaders, and our servicemen and women. I also post a prayer for my adopted troop, Peter C., a marine.
Like Irving Berlin said in his lyrics to God Bless America, “While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free, Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.”
Our nation needs our prayers, so I invite you join with me as I pause and raise my voice in prayer this Independence Day.
God Bless America!
Kim
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” Psalm 33:12a
This Wednesday, June 15, Rev. Jody Ray will be leading a discussion on the book “The Shack.” The book has stirred up some theologial debate - I thought it was very inspirational and opened another avenue for me to view God’s love us and his desire to have a relationship with us. Bring your lunch and book to the small dining room at 11:45am.
Childcare is available. Contact Heather Wood for more information.
It’s Sunday morning around here at Mt. Bethel and I wonder, where have all the people gone, long time passing? Where have all the people gone - far, far away… It’s Sunday morning and the attendance is about 1/2 it’s normal. Does that bother me? Yeah - I’d say so. But the BIGGER QUESTION, does it bother God? ABSOLUTELY! Instead of worshiping Him, we are out worshiping THAT WHICH HE CREATED. Now, that’s not to say, that we can’t encounter God in His creation, but, come on - really? What does that look like?
Am I giving you (whoever the “you” folks are) a tough time? I guess so. But then, you know me, I ask MYSELF the same question - IF I weren’t one of the minister here at Mt. B., how many Sundays would I take off, expecting God to understand. WOW! Truth hurts.
So, if you’re reading this, I’d love to hear what your thoughts are. IS Sanctuary worship truly better than creation worship? Or better yet - Can God receive your worship outside of the Sanctuary… or I guess the real question is, do we TRULY worship GOD while in the creation. Hhmm… some things to think about.
We’ve determined that that images for our area were taken just before Christmas. Look at this view of the banner in front of the church, then compare it with the christmas banner on the right. It looks like a match!
Your suggestions and comments are valuable to us, so the staff of Mt. Bethel UMC has designed a series of surveys to gather your thoughts and opinions to help us better plan for your needs and concerns.
The first survey is regarding Mt. Bethel’s worship experience, and we have e-mailed this survey to most of the congregation. If you did not get an e-mail, we invite you to use this link to take the survey. To receive these e-mails in the future, and to receive our weekly and monthly bulletins, please subscribe using this link.
If you have any questions, please use the comments section below and we’ll be happy to help you.
Mt. Bethel has graduated from a mailed weekly bulletin to a monthly magazine! Our communication ministry conducted a survey a while back and, according to our readers, the internet is more appealing than the weekly bulletin. The mailed bulletin is sent third-class and is delivered accordingly. Often, the bulletin is a week old when it is received.
“The Action” is the new monthly bulletin. It contains all of the upcoming events and reports of church action. It will also include a meditation and various articles of interest. Everyone is encouraged to check the church’s website, on at least a weekly basis, for the latest news. In addition, an enlarged worship bulletin will be handed out each Sunday highlighting events and news. If one does not have access to a computer and would still like to receive the weekly bulletin used for worship, all one has to do is request that it be mailed . . . and it will!
We very much desire to be efficient financially and environmentally. The less third-class mailings and the less paper used, the better we will all be.
Please let us know what you think. We look forward to hearing from you!
Well y’all, it’s true - I am not only a ‘Wheel Watcher’, but I am now a contestant, too! I was recently selected to be on Wheel of Fortune, and I’m inviting you to watch me play this Friday, May 23rd, at 7pm on WATL - channel 13 on Comcast.
How did this happen? Well, last November I tried out locally, and did well enough that they called me to be on the show last month. The whole family flew out to Los Angeles, and we had a great time. ‘Wheel’ tapes all of the shows for the month in one week, so there were 4 other shows taped that same day. Mine was the last one taped, and I was really excited when it was finally my turn to spin. The wheel is pretty heavy, about 2,000 pounds! I can’t remember everything, and I probably look and sound like an idiot - BUT I did win! And my girls got to be on TV too!
I hope you enjoy watching the show. It was a true blessing to be given this way cool experience, and I give God the glory, and the church 10% (Liberty Hill, not Mt. Bethel!).
Have you ever seen one of our military walking past you and wanted to convey to them your thanks, but weren’t sure how or it felt awkward?
Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be used and has started a massive movement to get the word out. Please everybody take just a moment to watch…. The Gratitude Campaign …and then forward it to your friends!
Our own Diane Parrish has been announced a winner of this year’s 11Alive Community Service Award. Each year, 11Alive honors 11 outstanding local volunteers who have demonstrated selfless devotion for the betterment of the community. 11Alive News Anchors Brenda Wood and Ted Hall host the live, prime time telecast. Proceeds from the event go to charity.
Diane was selected for her involvement with Camp Hope, part of kidz2leaders, inc., which she started in 1999 as a separate 501(c)(3) organization. Camp Hope is for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade children whose parents are incarcerated in the state of Georgia. The purpose of Camp Hope is to help each child learn that they are precious in God’s eyes and to provide a positive, fun-filled week away from the worries of their world.
Teens from Mt. Bethel UMC and surrounding churches spend one week every summer in a one-to-one counselor/camper relationship with these children. Adults serve as cabin “moms” and “dads” as well as in director positions to help in all camp activities. The goal is to provide plenty of food, songs and FUN - but most of all, to help those campers understand that no matter what their circumstances are, no matter what paths others in their lives have taken, that they are precious children of God with a special future of their own — that there is HOPE!!
Some of you have requested a copy of the “I am the child” message that Randy shared in his sermon yesterday. Here it is:
I am the child. All the world waits for my coming. All the earth watches with interest to see what I shall become. Civilization hangs in the balance. For what I am, the world of tomorrow will be.
I am the child. I come into your world about which I know nothing. Why I came, I know not. How I came, I know not. I am curious, I am interested.
I am the child. you hold in your hand my destiny. You determine whether I will succeed or fail. Give me, I pray you, those thing that truly make for happiness. Train me, I beg you, that I may be a blessing to the world.
