8 Bethany Newsletter DECEMBER 2015
Fall Festival 2015 Volunteers thank you
Thank you to all who prayed, volunteered,
donated candy and worked at the Fall Festival. We
had another successful outreach event. Approximately 1,000 people came through the
doors and we had over 100 workers. Praise God
there was enough workers plus about 18 teens
that came and helped. There were over 25,000
pieces of candy given out, and all who saw the
Magic Bob show received hot dogs and potato
chips. Another big praise was that the building was
cleaned up by 10pm and ready for Connection
Sunday the next day. Thanks to the Bethany Families, many smiling
faces, and helping hands who made it all possible.
PrimeTimers Christmas Party (ages 50+)
Wednesday, December 9th @ noon Dust off your favorite Christmas
sweater & slip on those colorful
holiday socks then join us for an
afternoon of merry mirth. Please bring a wrapped $5
Christmas gift to pass. Cost for catered lunch is $15,
due by Wednesday, December 2nd to Sheryl
MacPhee, Carol Meinhardt or Harold Warntz. Sign
up at the Welcome Center and pick up a flyer.
BETHANY CHURCH
Bethany has been situated on the corner of 15 Mile Road
and Beaconsfield for almost 60 years, and has a rich
heritage that involves Christ followers who are devoted to
seeking the will of God. We know it is no accident that we
have been placed on this corner and we strive to reach out
to our community with the love of Christ.
19700 15 Mile Road
Clinton Twp. Mi 48035
Phone: 586-791-1190
Fax: 586-791-2959
Email: [email protected]
Website: connect2bethany.org
Office hours: M & T 10am-4pm
W - F 9am-5pm
Single Seniors (ages 55+) Christmas Luncheon
Thursday, December 10th @ 12:30pm Our Christmas luncheon will be at the Harbor
House restaurant. Please bring a $5 edible gift to
exchange. Sign up at the Welcome Center.
1 Bethany Newsletter DECEMBER 2015
Christmas Eve Service Thursday, December 24th @ 6pm
A family worship experience as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.
Events This Month
Dec 4 Ladies Event
Dec 6 Communion AM
Dec 12 BIA Bowling
Dec 13 Donut Sunday
Choir Concert
Dec 16 Souled Out
Event
Dec 20 Music Night
Dec 24 Christmas Eve
Service
Dec 31 Souled Out
All-Nighter
Inside this issue:
Classes 2
Missions 3
Church Calendar 5
Upcoming events 6
Youth group events 7
Welcome!
We are very thankful to
have you with us. If you
are a first time guest to
Bethany, please stop by
the Welcome Center,
and give us the
opportunity to meet
you! For information on
any of Bethany’s
ministries, pick up a
flyer at the Welcome
Center or see Bethany’s
web page. Please join
us again to discover the
difference God can
make in your life.
Pastor Mark Reynolds
December Memory Verse
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14 KJV
Volume 4, Issue 12 December 2015
What is the Christmas story? Christmas has become a commercial holiday in many countries, celebrated
with lights, banquets and gifts. But the true Christmas story is far more exciting –
worth celebrating in every home!
The Bible tells the true Christmas story:
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had
been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child
from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her
to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an
angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear
to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She
will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their
sins.’ “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the
virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ which
means, God with us” (Matthew 1:18-23). www.gotQuestions.org
Joy! Unspeakable Joy! Bethany Choir Concert Sunday, December 13th @ 11am
“But the angel said to them, “Don't be afraid! I am
here with good news for you, which will bring great joy
to all the people.” Luke 2:10a
Bethany Music Night Sunday, December 20th @ 6pm
An Evening of Christmas Music by the
musicians of Bethany! See Erin Madak to
participate.
2 Bethany Newsletter DECEMBER 2015
HAPPENINGS @BETHANY
Sunday
9:45am Connection Bible Classes;
for All Ages Nursery through Adults
11:00am Worship Service
Kidz Konnection 1st-6th grades
6:00pm Worship Service
CrossRoads (18-29 year olds)
Monday
7:00pm Celebrate Recovery
Committee Meetings (see Calendar)
Tuesday
9:30am Women’s Bible Study (Last meeting Dec 15)
1:00pm Quilting Time
Wednesday
7:00pm Bible Study & Prayer Service, Youth Groups,
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday
7:00pm Choir Practice
Saturday
8:00am Men’s Bible Study
Winter Weekly Schedule
Children's Choir—Save the Date March 20th @ 11am Bethany’s Children's choir will present the musical "Back to the Cross."
Rehearsals begin January 6th @ 6pm. See Erin Madak for more information.
Ladies Ministry Events (Please note the Ladies Ministry events are planned for women 18 & over; there is no childcare at our events – Thank you for understanding.)
Potluck Dinner / Christmas Cookie Exchange December 4th @ 6:30pm
Ladies, we want to start your holiday season with Joy! Come for
a potluck fellowship and then a yummy cookie exchange. You can
come to both or pick one that fits your schedule. Please sign up by
Wednesday, December 2nd at the Welcome Center. To be part of
the Cookie Exchange bring 5 dozen cookies to share and also take
home. Any questions about this event contact Vicky Barbieri.
Ladies Bible Study
Wednesday, January 6th @ 7pm
Ladies will begin the study, “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer.
Lavender Spa Retreat
Saturday, January 23, 2016 8:30am - 4pm Join us as we spend the day together digging deeper into
God's Word. This might be the perfect Christmas Gift for the
lady in your life. Gift Certificates are available. The retreat is
$40 per person. Register now with a $10 deposit. (Balance
due January 10, 2016) Connect with Vickie Contrucci or
Kathy Tucker for more information.
The Ladies Annual Auction Thank you to the ladies that enjoyed an evening filled with devotion, refreshment
and an opportunity to bless a local ministry. All in
attendance were touched by Refuge Detroit, a
new inner city church plant. Through the auction
the ladies gave a gift of over $2,700.00 to this
ministry. Thank you to all who assisted and
participated.
January 6th
7 Bethany Newsletter DECEMBER 2015
Souled Out—Teens 7th-12th grades
Wednesday Nights There is no other place that JR HI and SR HI students should be every
Wednesday night at 7pm because that’s when Souled Out is happening! Each
week is another opportunity to build relationships with each other and with the
God who not only made us, but loves us so much! It is a place for friends to come
and explore what life can be like when we live it Jesus’ way. Each night can have
some crazy games, food, a time where we attempt to put together the pieces of
our lives (the things we wonder about, struggle with, and need to learn more about) and bring them before the God
who is writing our story each and every day. And yes, we’ll always end up having some fun together so don’t miss a
single week!
Christmas Party December 16th @ 7pm–9pm
Hey all JR & SR HI students … Christmas is coming!! That
means Souled Out will be celebrating, by throwing a party!
Mark down the date & time, it will go a little later than
normal. In order to have the most fun, plan on bringing two
items to this party: a food/drink item that you sign up for
(see Robyn Miller) and a white elephant gift (something that
you already have that someone else might actually want or
use). There will be fun games (a new Spoons champion will
be crowned), maybe a prize or two, and a few surprises!
Don’t miss it!
SR HI New Year’s Eve All-Nighter December 31st @ 10pm—7am January 1st The New Year’s Eve All-Nighter will be here before you
know it! It’s going to be a great time! All you can eat pizza,
pop, snacks, Mike’s messy games (think old school
Nickelodeon but without the big budget), Capture the Flag,
big screen movies, and much more--all to bring in the new
year in style.. You don’t want to miss this! Cost is just $12.
Turn money in to Robyn Miller to get on the list. Deadline is
Sunday, December 27.
Mark Your Calendars Time is flying by! So make sure you don’t miss any of the upcoming events. The winter retreat at Camp Barakel
will be on February 5-7, 2016 with JR HI on one side of the camp and SR HI on the other. And hey, even though it’s
9 months away, all current 8th graders up through college can save the dates for Alive Festival, July 20-24, 2016.
We'll be announcing the Area All-Night Event very soon (it’s looking like April 1 this year, but it’s not official yet).
Souled Out Online If you are looking for information about Souled Out and the events that we are doing, you’ve got two great
sources: Facebook and the church’s website. That same information will always be placed on our church website
as well for those of you who do not have Facebook accounts. The Facebook address is facebook.com/SouledOut
BBC and the website address is connect2bethany.org/#/connectbethany/teens.
YOUTH NEWS
Don't miss out on the fun at this year's Christmas Party
Oliva, Gabby, Analise, Abby and Natalie decorate Makenna at
last year's New Year's Eve All Nighter
6 Bethany Newsletter DECEMBER 2015
Summer Camp Meeting December 13th
Come and see the possibilities for your child this summer! If
you have children in grades 3-8 or are interested in the
camps our Bethany kids attend, please plan to be at this brief
meeting, in the Fireside room following the 11am service.
Thanksgiving Food Drive Thank you to all that donated for Bethany’s food drive. We
were able to help 16 families for the holiday season. What a
Blessing to share God’s riches!
December Anniversaries 4 Ralph & Betty McIntyre 1948
9 Scott & Nicole Agbay 1989
23 Sigi & Shirley Bossner 1961
26 Jim & Erma Smith 1959
December Birthdays 2 Tony Rodriguez
3 Ty Voigt
4 Gregory Quay
5 Linda Mick, Annie Vander Veen
8 Tim Cole
10 Rose Marie Adamy, Carlin Loving
11 Grant Arbitter, Jenifer Reed
12 Anne Mayer, Jonathan Mayer,
Tara Sumner
14 Janice Campbell, Ann Carolan
15 Betty McIntyre
16 Christiani Levos
18 Rebecca Gascho, Kathy Walker
19 Kendra Gosk, Erica Hewitt, Mark Levos, Sr
22 Rodrick Nutridge, Bill Poynter III, Holly Rodgers,
Frank Rude
23 Dolly Owens
25 Carl Bulak, Gerald Hewitt II, Katelyn Hewitt
27 David Reed
28 Bob Early, Bob Washburn
29 Jeff Madak
30 Shirley Howery, Sue Maracle
31 Amanda Bishop, Dick Winter
UPCOMING EVENTS BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERIARIES
Upcoming
Events
New Bethany Travel Mugs
Now Available for $5.00 at the Welcome
Center or Library. Pick one up, they
make a great Christmas gift!
Color Code
Missionary Missionary Child Shut-In/Nursing Home Military
January 2016
3 Communion AM
6 Kid’s Choir Rehearsals begin
10 Donut Sunday
23 Ladies Day Retreat
24 Quarterly Business Meeting
31 Winter Jam 2016
February 2016
5-7 Souled Out—Winter Retreat
7 Communion AM
14 Donut Sunday
March 2016
6 Communion AM
13 Donut Sunday
20 Kids Choir Musical
3 Bethany Newsletter DECEMBER 2015
SPOTLIGHT ON MISSIONS
The goals of Bethany’s Missions Committee...to equip and enable members and friends of Bethany to be
personally involved in obeying the Great Commission...to provide a support system for our missions families
who are following the Lord in reaching out into the world.
Missionary of the week, December December 6 —Marge Crumley and her late husband Glenn worked for many years in the Congo
where he was an excellent mechanic. Marge currently has a ministry of encouragement to many
people, especially those who are a part of the Christian Mission to the Deaf.
December 13—Dawn Strauss and her late husband Harvey went to minister at the Alaskan Bible College.
After several years they became area representatives for SEND International in California, where they
recruited missionaries.
December 20—Cordell (Cork) & Joan Loken served many years in Liberia, West Africa. When civil war
broke out in that country they left for the Ivory Coast. There they learned French, so they could
minister to the locals. Cork then, worked with TransWorld radio in their engineering center in Indiana,
and recently spent time with a Christian radio station in Texas. They currently reside in Louisiana.
December 27—Ben & Elizabeth Hagerup are involved in Disciple Markers, a campus ministry in
Pennsylvania; where Ben oversees a number of different colleges. At Penn State Univ: Over 400
students have expressed interest in the fellowship and 15–16 Bible studies have been started this
fall. The Hagerups have seven children to keep them busy– five boys and two girls.
Syrian Refugee Crisis Missions Project Touching those in need across the globe
Bethany is partnering with Samaritan’s Purse this Christmas
season, to provide aid to the millions of refugees around the
world. As a result of these tumultuous times, Europe has been
inundated with refugees. A large percentage of these refugees
have come from Syria where, in a four year period of civil war,
over 200,000 people have been killed and millions displaced.
Other refugees are escaping violence in the nations of
Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea, Nigeria, Somalia, and Kosovo. Many of
these refugees are Christians who have been displaced because of religious persecution.
What is Samaritan’s Purse doing? Samaritan’s Purse has staff in Greece and
Croatia working in Jesus’ Name to provide relief to vulnerable people. In Greece,
refugees are being met at the shore as they arrive by sea— with offers of food, water,
and dry clothing. Each day in Athens, they are helping to feed hundreds of refugees
who are being sheltered in local stadiums. Soap and sleeping pads are also being
offered. In Croatia, they have set up several large hand-washing stations at a transit
camp to address hygiene issues. Also, they are daily distributing hundreds of
backpacks filled with food, hygiene items, a poncho, hats, blankets, and more. In
Macedonia, Bethany’s evangelical partners continue to hand out similar women’s
and children’s backpacks. Bethany is also meeting needs for basic necessities
through Christian partners in Serbia and Hungary.
Would you consider sharing in this project? Beginning November 29th and
ending December 20th, we will be receiving a love offering to be used in providing
much needed aid to those in crisis. Even our own missionaries have shared how the
refugee crisis has impacted their areas of service. All monies collected and
earmarked for The Refugee Crisis Project will be sent to Samaritan’s Purse for
distribution. Special envelopes are provided in the pews and at the table in the lobby.
Europe Refugee Relief
Please pray for the
safety of the
refugees and that
they will see the
light of the Gospel
through these
efforts. Pray for
the work of
Samaritan’s Purse
staff, volunteers
and our
evangelical
partners.
Especially, pray for
peace in the
Middle East, North
Africa and South
Asia.
4 Bethany Newsletter DECEMBER 2015
EVENTS
Library Connections “The Twelve Words of Christmas”
This DVD is part of the Passion
Talk Series by Louie Giglio.
As Giglio tells the story about
Christ’s birth, he focuses his main
point on the 12 words the angels proclaimed as they
first announced it—“A Savior has been born to you.
He is Christ the Lord”—thereby ending the apparent
silence of God for the prior 400-plus years. With the
birth of Jesus, each and every person could now know
and have a real relationship with God. It’s the
greatest story ever told. Completely unforeseen, yet
long awaited was the voice of God breaking through
the darkness and 400 years of silence with the cry of
a baby. And not just any baby, the gift of God. A baby
born under the radar and into the chaos—announced
by twelve words that changed history and brought
hope to humanity.
That’s the message of Christmas. God with us, full
of grace and truth. And no one on earth is too far
from His love. No one beyond His reach. He’s at work
in your life, even in the midst of the chaos, and
promises to bring you through. Merry Christmas! The
Savior is here.
GEMS News (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior)
Thursday, December 3rd @ 6:15pm
The GEMS Girls (grades 1-6) are singing some
carols at the Crisis Pregnancy Center Banquet
and then going out for ice cream.
Saturday, December 12th @ 9:30am
The GEMS Girls are going to sing some carols at
the Clinton-Aire Nursing Home. After this they
have reservations at AirTime in Shelby Township
from noon to 1 pm. If you love to sing and jump,
this field trip is for you.
Permission slips are needed for either event.
Wednesday, December 16th @ 7pm.
GEMS Christmas party.
See Dawn Wolf or Jen Reed for these events.
Sunday Connections News I’d like to share with you some exciting news about
what God is doing with our church family here at
Bethany. The adults are studying many different
topics, including Romans, Living in Dark Times as
taught through Ruth and Judges, to The Pursuit of
God by A.W.Tozer.
We have new believers attending membership
class, baptism class, and Bible 101. They are asking
questions and being guided through the Scriptures
with the solid facts of where their salvation stands
through Jesus Christ.
And of course, we have children of all ages,
learning that Jesus loves them by studying the truths
of the Bible and learning how to apply these to their
daily lives.
On behalf of the Christian Ed Committee, Thank
you, Kathy Tucker /Sunday School Superintendent.
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;5 guide me in your truth
and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long..
Psalm 25:4-5
Teachers Needed Thank you, Miss Sheryl!
Sheryl MacPhee has served
our little ones here at Bethany
for decades but is being lead
into new areas of ministry. We
are looking for another Miss
Sheryl; someone to be
mentored by her in the pre-
school /Kindergarten class to become the lead
teacher.
We are seeking additional teachers to become
part of the elementary team, which teaches the
students one month on and one month off. We
are also in need of additional adult class
teachers who would be willing to step in and take
on a class for a quarter, or be available to
substitute. With the addition of new babies, we
have a need for assistance with our little ones
from birth to Kindergarten.
My question to you is: Perhaps you hear the
Lord’s call to step up, assist and grow in His Love
by serving Him through teaching and leading
others. If God is speaking to you about serving,
please see Pastor Mark, Pastor Mike, or Kathy
Tucker to share in this ministry.
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old
he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
5 Bethany Newsletter DECEMBER 2015
MONTHLY CALENDAR
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
7pm Celebrate Recovery; Missions Committee
Meeting
7pm Celebrate Recovery;
Deacons Meeting
7pm Celebrate Recovery;
Trustee Meeting
9:00am – Donut Sunday 9:45am - Connection Classes 11am - Christmas Concert 2:30pm - Choir @
Oakmont Parkway Senior Living
6pm - Evening Service CrossRoads Bible 101
12:30pm Single Seniors
Luncheon At Harbor House
7pm
Choir Practice
7pm Celebrate Recovery
7pm Bible Study & Prayer;
Boys In Action; GEMS Girls;
Souled Out Teens Christmas Party;
Women’s Bible Studies
9:30am
Ladies Bible Study
1pm
Quilting Time
9:45am - Connection Groups 11am - Worship Service
Kidz Konnection
No Evening Service
6pm - CrossRoad Christmas Party
7pm Bible Study & Prayer; Boys In Action; GEMS
Girls; Souled Out; Women’s Bible Studies
9:45am - Connection Classes 11am - Worship Service
Kidz Konnection 6pm - Music Night
9:30am
Ladies Bible Study & Potluck Luncheon
1pm
Quilting Time
7pm Bible Study & Prayer; Boys In Action; GEMS
Girls Event; Souled Out Teens; Women’s Bible
Studies
6pm Christmas Eve
Service
8am
Men’s Bible Study
8:15am
BIA 7th –12th
Rifle Shoot
8am
Men’s Bible Study
11:30am Men’s Luncheon
6:30pm
Ladies Pot Luck Dinner and
Cookie Exchange
12-3:30pm PrimeTimers
Christmas Party 8am
Men’s Bible Study
9:30am-2pm
GEMS Event
10am-1:30pm
BIA Bowling Event
9:45am - Connection Classes 11am - Worship Service Communion Kidz Konnection 4pm CE Meeting 6pm - Evening Service CrossRoads Bible 101
6:15 pm GEMS Event
7pm
Choir Practice
7pm Bible Study & Prayer
10pm SR HI All Nighter
9:30am
Ladies Bible Study
1pm
Quilting Time
Merry Christmas
Happy Birthday Jesus