YTD INCOME/(LOSS)($11,104)

GIVING AS OF 6/29$20,888

WEEKLY BUDGET($44,100)

WEEKLY OVER/(UNDER)($23,212)

Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth. (Deut. 8:18)

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

CONGREGATIONAL CARE - Pastor Michael Boys, Elder Bill FryBaptism 713.782.8948Prayer Ministry 713.782.8948Bereavement - Patti Fox 713.665.4356Membership 713.782.8948Widows’ Ministry - Jim & Linda Smith 713.266.3447Craftsmen of Bethel - Blake Pfeffer 713.975.8885Deacon Liaison - Jack Stubbs 281.455.3270Greeter’s Ministry - Bill & Linda Roberts 713.271.6157Stewardship Training 713.782.8948Senior Adults (60ish+) - Bill Fry 713.661.1442Library - Shawn Smith 713.206.6672Biblical Counseling - Elder Ron Pruet 713.782.8948To make an appointment, contact Pam Mitchell

ADULT MINISTRIES - Pastor Micah CaswellAdult Bible Fellowship 713.782.8948Community Groups 713.782.8948Young Professionals Ministry (YaP) 713.782.8948MEN - Elder Bill McCulloch

Morning Bible Study - Jim Hickernell 713.683.8802Morning Prayer - Sandy Mitchell 713.666.3742Men’s Fellowship Dinner 713.782.8948Folders - Jim Smith 713.419.7066Faithful Men - Don Currans 713.266.1379Men’s Retreat 713.782.8948

WOMEN - Elder Alex ChaeTransforming Women... with Grace & Truth 713.782.8948Women Learning & Living the Word 713.782.8948Women’s Connection - Talitha Powell 832.788.7975Prayer Ministry 713.782.8948Titus2 Ministry - Tori Schroer 713.464.4542Tender Loving Cooking - Rebecca Harrison

STUDENTS - Pastor Seth Thornton, Elder Randy JonesHigh School: Seth Thornton 713.782.8948Middle School: Ken Neumann 713.782.8948Coord.: Marianne Blackshear 713.782.8948For more information, go to bethelstudents.com

CHILDREN - Director Tina MacInnes, Elder Mark GillespieKids' Church & J12 713.782.8948Awana - James Fields 281.340.8900Vacation Bible School 713.782.8948MDO - Paula Dominguez 713.782.8948Nursery Staff - Krista Hood 713.782.8948

MUSIC & WORSHIP - Elder Cedric BurgherBethel Choir: Lynelle Rowley 832.368.4022Praise Team 713.782.8948

MISSIONSINTERNATIONAL OUTREACH - Elder Mark Mixon

Missions Committee - Gene Dewhurst 713.621.2238Missions Weekend 713.782.8948

DOMESTIC OUTREACH - Local Outreach Committee - Scott Schroer 713.783.4066Prison Ministry: Cliff Adams 713.729.8971

ADMINISTRATION & FACILITIES - Elder Ron PruetFacilities - Jim Smith 713.782.8948Finance Committee - Gene Dewhurst 713.782.8948Personnel 713.782.8948

SENIOR PASTOR - Michael Boys

MODERATOR OF THE SESSION - Don Brunson

G E T T I N G C O N N E C T E D

F I N A N C I A L U P D A T E

BETHEL CHURCH EXISTS TO GLORIFY GOD BY PREACHING AND TEACHING HIS WORD, THE BIBLE - DESIRING TO SEE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE CHANGED INTO PASSIONATE, GROWING FOLLOWERS OF JESUS. JULY 3, 2011 | ISSUE: 851

BETHELOFHOUSTON.COM

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M I N I S T R Y S P O T L I G H T

READ THE BIBLE FOR LIFEWednesdays  at  6:30  pm  (FH)

Our  Pastors’  Summer  Bible  Study  is  in  session.  To  learn  more,  go  to  bethelo:ouston.com/read-­‐the-­‐bible-­‐for-­‐life  or  show  up  this  Wednesday.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLNext  Monday  thru  Friday

Please  be  in  prayer  as  we  prepare  to  welcome  almost  600  children  from  our  local  community  this  year  for  our  week-­‐long  activities.  

THE GATHERINGTonight  at  6:30  pm  (SC)

Micah  Caswell  will  be  preaching  this  evening  in  our  new  evening  service  for  young  adults.  To  learn  more,  go  to  bethelo:osuton.com/the-­‐gathering.

VBS SET-UP SUNDAYNext  Sunday  at  12:30  pm

We  need  every  available  hand  next  Sunday  as  we  setup  for  an  incredible  week  of  Vacation  Bible  School.  Lunch  and  childcare  are  available  for  ALL!

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Celebrating FreedomWe  are  Christians  who  have  been  forgiven  by  Jesus  Christ.    But  we’re  also  (mostly!)  Americans,  and  tomorrow  is  Independence  Day.  

So  as  we  reflect  upon  God’s  good  providences  throughout  every  aspect  of  our  lives,  we  are  grateful  for  His  blessings  upon  our  nation  over  the  past  235  years.    In  so  many  ways  “freedom”  is  the  foundational  concept  which  has  benefitted  our  people  and  grounds  our  heritage.

We  are  grateful  for  freedom  of  religion;  that  every  person  is  free  to  worship  as  he  or  she  desires.

We  are  grateful  for  freedom  of  speech;  that  each  citizen  can  express  his  or  her  opinions  as  they  see  fit.

We  are  grateful  for  freedom  of  assembly;  which  is  particularly  precious  to  those  of  us  who  love  the  Church.

We  are  grateful  for  other  freedoms  as  well:  exercised  in  our  justice  system  and  in  our  economic  structures.      While  all  these  have  been  (and  may  yet  be)  in  jeopardy  at  times,  most  of  us  agree  that  this  American  experiment  has  been  and  should  continue  to  be  a  wonderfully  blessed  endeavor.

Yet…freedom  of  religion  can’t  make  one  right  with  God.    Freedom  of  speech  doesn’t  ensure  one  knows  the  truth.    Freedom  of  assembly  never  assures  others  are  treated  with  love  and  respect.  

We  need  more  than  mere  civil  liberties.    We  were  created  for  more  than  this.    Jesus  said,  “If  you  abide  in  my  word,  you  are  truly  my  disciples,  and  you  will  know  the  truth,  and  the  truth  will  set  you  free."  (John  8:31-­‐32)    Skeptics  always  question  if  truth  can  really  be  found.    Jesus  also  claimed  "I  am  the  way,  and  the  truth,  and  the  life.  No  one  comes  to  the  Father  except  through  me.”  (John  14.6)

We  celebrate  our  nation’s  freedoms  this  weekend;  but  so  much  more,  we  acknowledge,  celebrate,  and  worship  over  the  ultimate  freedom  that  is  available  to  those  who  know  Jesus  Christ.  

-­‐-­‐  Michael  Boys,  senior  pastor

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

Expository  Listening:  A  Handbook  for  Hearing  &  Doing  God’s  Word  by  Ken  Ramey

In  many  people’s  mind,  if  they  don’t  get  anything  out  of  the  sermon,  it’s  the  preacher’s  fault.  But  that’s  only  half  true.  The  Bible  teaches  that  listeners  must  partner  with  the  preacher  so  that  the  Word  of  God  accomplishes  its  intended  purpose  of  transforming  their  life.

W E ’ R E H E R E T O H E L P

Bethel Biblical Counseling provides a private and safe place for you to receive care and hope.

Call the church office to schedule an appointment(713.782.8948).

Paid  Nursery  OpeningIf  you  know  of  someone  that  you  feel  would  be  qualified,  works  well  with  children,  and  would  be  available  to  work  on  Sunday  mornings,  please  have  them  call  the  church  office  at  713.782.8948  to  inquire.  

VBS  DonationsPlease  consider  donating  food  and  money  for  this  year’s  program  using  the  insert  in  your  worship  guide.

PRAYER FOR VBSIf  you  would  like  to  spend  some  "sweet  time  in  prayer"  for  Bethel's  upcoming  VBS,  meet  in  the  Parlor  at  5:45  pm,  every  Wednesday  into  July.

Contact  Ann  Wilson  for  more  information  (713.783.4912).

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ON THE BOOK RACK

G E T T I N G C O N N E C T E D

A�  Sunday�  Night�  Worship�  Experience�  at�  6:3o�  pm

A  MINISTRY  UPDATE

After  two  weeks,  many  have  asked,  “How  is  The  Gathering  doing?”    The  simple  answer  is…great!    It  has  been  a  needed  experience  to  go  back  to  the  basics  regarding  what  the  local  church  should  be  championing.    The  YaP  ABF  was  previously  averaging  25  to  30  each  week,  but  The  Gathering  has  drawn  50  to  60  each  week.    The  best  part  of  that  number  is  the  large  percentage  of  new  people  who  have  gotten  plugged  in  through  the  evening  service.    One  man  reported  that  he  can’t  come  on  Sunday  morning  because  of  his  work  schedule  and  was  excited  to  see  the  emails  about  an  evening  service…glad  we  had  him  in  our  database  and  took  advantage  of  emails  through  BethelConnect!    

A  NEW  COMMUNITY  GROUP  FOR  NEWLY  WEDS

If  you  are  engaged  or  a  newly  wed  without  children  we  want  to  announce  a  new  community  group.    A  number  of  couples  have  gotten  married  through  the  YaP  ministry  this  past  year  and  a  clear  need  has  risen  for  a  missional  group  that  engages  their  peers  with  the  gospel.    The  group  is  hosting  a  “Meet  &  Greet”  this  Wednesday  night.    If  you  are  interested,  please  contact  Josh  Gibb  (jgibb@dts.edu)  or  Griffin  Meyers  (the.happy.griffin@gmail.com).    This  group  was  birthed  out  of  the  YaP  Wednesday  night  CG  led  by  Ron  Pruet.  While  it  is  always  sad  to  send  people  out  of  a  CG,  there  is  a  joy  knowing  that  we  are  being  missionaries  to  our  city.  This  is  a  great  testimony  to  Ron’s  leadership  and  vision  to  raise  up  new  leaders  and  send  out  missionaries…way  to  go!

Time Out

Each  year  we  gather  dads  with  their  dudes  for  a  ballgame  at  Minute  Maid  Park.  We  hope  you'll  participate!

WHEN:  Monday,  August  1,  7  pm  (vs  Reds)

Register  online  at                BETHELOFHOUSTON.COM/DADS-­‐AND-­‐DUDES

days

FRIDAY  MORNINGS  AT  9:30  AM  AROUND  THE  CITY

MOMMY  &  ME  DAYS  are  all  about  bringing  people  together  and  making  new  friends.  An  activity  schedule  is  located  at  bethelo:ouston.com.

mommyme&

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MOTHER’S DAY OUT TEACHER OPENINGMDO  is  looking  for  a  teacher  for  one  of  our  Two-­‐Year-­‐Old  classes  that  meets  on  Wednesdays  and  Thursdays.  This  is  a  paid  position.  

If  you  are  interested,  please  contact  Paula  Dominguez  at  713.782.8948  or  paulad@bethelo:ouston.com.

G E T T I N G C O N N E C T E D

SAVE  THE  DATEJuly  30,  5-­‐8  pm

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY:4TH OF JULY W/ MIDDLE EAST REFUGEES   

WHEN:  5  -­‐  7:30  PM  (fireworks  at  dark)WHERE:  Oyster  Creek  Park  in  Sugar  Land  If  you  would  like  to  participate  as  we  reach  out  to  these  refugees,  please  bring  any  of  the  following  items:  bottled  water,  chips,  cookies  or  fried  chicken.

For  more  information,  please  contact  John  Hood  (832.755.8484).