Bethesda Beacon

A Newsletter for the Members and Friends of Bethesda Presbyterian Church

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

IN THIS ISSUE

From the Pastor’s Study Bethesda’s Activities/Announcements Health Cabinet Presbyterian Women Youth & Christian Education December-January Birthdays December–January Calendar Thanks and Prayers The Christmas Joy Offering

STAFF

Rev. Jim Davis Pastor

Rev. Brent Kendall Director of Christian Education

Mr. & Mrs. Bo Dickinson Directors of Music

Mrs. Joy Parrott, R.N. Parish Nurse

Mr. Thomas Woolard Clerk of Session

Mrs. Lisa Woolard Moderator, Presbyterian Women

Mrs. Clara Fenton Office Manager

Ms. Holley Ham Administrative Assistant

Mr. Tom Hoke Facilities Engineer

Dr. John Gardner Youth Advisor

Ms. Lisa Davis Director of Children’s Ministry

Church office telephone: 432-4593 Church email: bethesda@bethesdapresbyterianchurch.org

Bethesda’s Website: www.bethesdapresbyterianchurch.org

E-mail addresses: Jim: pastor@bethesdapresbyterianchurch.org Brent: DCE@bethesdapresbyterianchurch.org Joy: parish. Nurse@bethesdapresbyterianchurch.org

Clara: clara@bethesdapresbyterianchurch.org John: BYG@bethesdaprebyterianchurch.org Lisa: dcm@bethesdapresbyterianchurch.org Bo/Ari: music@bethesdapresbyterianchurch.org

From the Pastor’s Study … Merry Christmas and Greetings in the name our Lord Jesus Christ!

Advent is the season that we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas is the time we recognize the true nature of following the Christ child through whom Almighty God on High redeemed hu-manity with a supreme act of love. Our Gracious God gives humanity hope in the gift of the Christ child and blesses us with the gift of having faith to see beyond ourselves and acknowledge God as the one true source of life and joy. With each breath we take in life, and in our own journey of faith, we should take time to reflect on Christ’s presence in our lives. Let us encourage each other the gospel with those whom God places in our path.

As we have done for many years, our Advent Season worship services begin with the lighting of the Advent candles. The candles rep-resent God’s gift to the world – Jesus Christ – and we understand this most awesome of gifts in terms of hope, love, joy, and peace. The good news ushered in with the birth of Jesus as the Christ child, the one true Messiah, in which God blesses us with a love that reaches well beyond our human understanding and proclaims redemption of all humanity contingent on only one thing .... and that is belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are so very blessed to be loved by our Lord God who sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, to proclaim a new covenant with humanity.

In the Gospel according to Matthew, we encounter the true na-ture of Jesus Christ of Nazareth as Emmanuel meaning "God is with us." Our Lord God’s Son entered into our midst in humble and even lowly circumstances so that God might minister to us in ways that speak to the human condition. God’s grace is the central theme of Christ’s ministry. A grace that is paramount to all human sin and brokenness. This is the good news- this is why we celebrate Christmas with lauds of joy laugh-ter and excitement … for God so loves us that He gave his only begotten Son that we might be redeemed even if we see ourselves as unredeema-ble.

As the light of the Christmas star continues to shine in our hearts and lives, we are called by Jesus Christ to ask ourselves such questions as: What have we done with God’s Christmas gift in our own lives? and What are we called to do with such a gift? May the Holy Spirit move us to give witness to the reason for the season and inspire us to Christian love and generosity. May we: also pray for those who are in need, share the message of God’s Grace, celebrate the birth of the Christ child, and give a little of ourselves so that others might see God’s sparkle of grace in us. Merry Christmas! Your brother in Christ, Rev. Jim Davis

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

I hope you had a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I trust you all had a wonderful and HAPPY Thanksgiving. Hopefully, we all took some time to give thanks to God for the many things God has blessed us with…Faith, Family, Friends, Fellowship, Festivities, Food, Fun…and of

course, Football (please excuse the alliteration). �

As we enter the Christmas season may we continue to have a spirit of joyfulness and thankfulness knowing that God has brought salvation to us through His Son, Jesus Christ…a GIFT to enjoy from now through eternity! As the Apostle Paul states in 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” If this “indescribable gift” was all our loving God gave us, it would be more than we deserve. However, God has blessed us in so many ways! Speaking of blessings, one of our family traditions is to take time at the end of the year to re-member and thank God for the specific ways He has blessed us that year. I would like to share with you some of the “highlights / blessings” of 2020 for me in the life of Bethesda Church.

For the past SIX years, this month’s Beacon article is typically my “end of the year review” highlighting many of the programs, activities, events, and camps for the year. For example, Vacation Bible School, MONTREAT High School Summer Camp, FUGE summer Youth camp, 5th Quarters, Oyster Roast at the Crazy Quail, etc. Some of these activities and events had to be canceled due to COVID-19…and ALL of them had to be altered and changed in some way(s) to meet COVID-19 regulations guidelines. But ONE THING has remained the same/unchanged. That is our GREAT GOD! God has been faithful, provided, and blessed us. God has proven to be WITH US through all of this. Plus, God has used YOU, Bethesda Presbyterian Church, to be an instrument in His mighty hands to reach others with the Gospel in word and deeds...in some new and creative ways! As we, once again, take a few moments to remember and highlight some of the awesome things God has done in and through His church here at Bethesda, I hope it will encourage and bless your heart! 1) God sent us Pastor Jim and Pat Davis!

2) (Virtual / On-Line) Vacation Bible School – “Rocky Railway – Jesus Power Pulls Us through” We had over 40 adult volunteers serving as Jesus Christ’s hands, feet, and mouthpiece to create this challenging, yet FUN and spiritual week of a never-done-this-before-VBS…at home and on-line. On top of all of that…we raised $1,000 for our GLOBAL MISSION PROJECT to Ecuador. We partnered with VBS kids all around the world to help bring ALPACAS to needy families in Ecuador. Adding an alpaca to a family farm in Ecuador not only transform the fate of the family but also helps provide jobs and resources to the entire community. Also, our LOCAL MIS-SION PROJECT this year was to help Faith Dixon, a precious seven-year-old girl that lives in Camden. Faith was born with severe heart defects and is in desperate need of a heart transplant. We raised over $1,000 …which turned in to a SUMMER MISSION PROJECT that went on to raise over $6,000. Praise be to God! We still stay in contact with Faith Dixon, her mom, and family. They continually express their gratitude and appreciation for all the prayers, support, and love that Bethesda has shown them. 3) Pioneer Clubs/Music Plus – Although it was canceled for some time, we are back at it! Praise God! It looks a whole lot different due to COVID, but we are having a GREAT and AWESOME FUN time! We have anywhere from 12-15 elementary age children with a dozen adult and youth volunteers join together every Wednesday after-noon learning about the love of God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the church. We enjoy praising God through sing-ing, doing motions to VBS style songs, reading the Bible, sharing stories from the Bible, memorizing Bible verses, and having lots of FUN! 4) Sunday School (in person and via ZOOM)– Although canceled for some time, we are back at it! Praise God! It is such an encouragement and blessing to see our children, youth, and adults gather together in their Sunday School classrooms on a weekly basis as we seek to grow in our love of God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the desire to study/discuss/know/understand God’s Word (the Bible)…not to mention the wonderful fellowship we have with one another during that hour. Plus, we have learned how to have a virtual class via ZOOM!

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CONTINUED

5) EPIC Youth Group – Although canceled for some time, we are back at it! Praise God! It is such an encouragement and blessing to have our youth back meeting together every Sunday night from 5:30-7:30pm. Approximately 20-25 youth (average) gather for a time of recreation, dinner, worship, fellowship, and Bible study. 6) Fall Festival / Trunk or Treat – Not only were we able to have it this year despite Coronavirus, but God protected and blessed us! We had a Fun and WONDERFUL event! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH to the volunteers who donated candy, baked goods, and decorated their trunks to help make this yearly event another HUGE SUCCESS! Thanks, also, to you who donated extra time to make the necessary changes needed due to COVID.

7) On-Line Streaming Worship Services – With COVID-19 here, we were “forced” to come up with new and creative ways to minister in Jesus name to our church family and community. On-line streaming of our worship services as well as oth-er things like Sunday School and VBS were birthed. We have received countless positive and encouraging feedback from church members as well as others in our community who have been impacted, encouraged, benefited, and blessed in their faith due to this new ministry. God only knows what all He is doing and the total impact this ministry is making for the Kingdom and Glory of God! Praise be to God! 8) Prayer & Praise – This recently added ministry where Bethesda Church “Prayer Warriors” gather in the Bethesda Church sanctuary for 30-40 minutes for PRAYER & PRAISE has proven to be a huge blessing and encouragement to me and others. God only knows the impact and difference the prayers of His people are making as we intercede for one an-other. If there has ever been a time in recent history when God’s people need to come together and pray for each other, our families, our churches, our community, our state, our nation, and our world….it is NOW! This new ministry was birthed out of the verse 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Join us every Wednesday from 5:30-6:00pm in the sanctuary of Bethesda Presbyterian Church to simply PRAY TO and PRAISE our Great GOD! *************************************************************************************************

Missions / Ministry Collections: A) Dimes for Hunger – Collected $2,363. A new RECORD for us! Way to go Bethesda Church! Half of the money was given to help support local feeding programs in Kershaw, Chester, Lancaster, Union, and York Counties of Providence Presbytery. The other half went to support self-help and development programs in Honduras, Guatemala, and Malawi. B) Thornwell Children’s Home – We are in the middle of collecting for this ministry at the time of this writing. C) Sacks of Love – This is our on-going yearly ministry. Sacks of Love helps feed hungry children from local schools that do not have enough food. The schools help feed them breakfast and lunch on weekdays, but the children and their families do not have those resources on the weekend. Sacks of Love sends these children home on the weekend with a sack of food. Our church shops for food, packs the sacks, and delivers the sacks to the schools. D) Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes – As I write this, we are still collecting the Shoeboxes. About half of our church goal of 100 SHOEBOXES have been turned in. These shoeboxes go to needy children in impoverished countries all over the world. We are taking a mission trip Dec 17th to the Distribution Center in Charlotte, NC to help pack thousands of shoeboxes to go all around the world. Let’s reach our goal Bethesda!

E) Angel Tree – We have adopted 38 “angels” (children) from the Angel Tree ministry this year. These “angels” are right here in our community (Midway Elementary School and the family of Faith Dixon). This very important ministry ensures that each of these “angels” will have Christmas presents to open and enjoy on Christmas morning. F) Souper Bowl of Caring - Collected $2,026 for FOOD FOR THE SOUL! Also, Bethesda Christian School collected 253 items of food/canned goods. G) Sunday School Offering – Even with Sunday School not meeting for 6 months, we still collected almost $2,000 in our Sunday School Offerings this year to help support various mission / ministries projects…. including supporting our 3 International “adopted” children living in extreme poverty in other countries (Andres Diaz – Colombia; Weng Li – China; and Charib Yesa - Thailand).

All of these programs, activities, ministries and mission projects take time, effort, commitment, and money in order to be a reality and even function so successfully. Amy Carmichael once said, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” Thank you, Bethesda Church, for loving God and loving others (which Jesus said were the two greatest commandments)! You have so graciously and generously given of your time, talents, and “treasures” (money) to help support these programs/activities/ministries. I thank God for placing me at Bethesda Church with such a loving and giving church family. I trust, by faith, that God will continue to do great things in and through Bethesda Presbyterian Church in the year 2021! Thank YOU…and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Lisa’s Letter

2020 gave us lemons . . . and Bethesda made lemonade.

Despite COVID and its limitations on gatherings, we have managed to have a

wonderful fall semester by adapting our programs to this new environment. One

thing is for sure and that is that each of you matter so much. YOU are the Church.

The church is not the staff, the session, the programs, or even the worship service.

It is YOU. And we need each child, youth, and adult to share your time and pres-

ence with Bethesda… your church. Your participation matters more than you re-

alize. Especially in a year like this one, just seeing faces of our church family is

uplifting and encouraging. I am so grateful for the love and provision of our

great God in His church, Bethesda and with His people, you all. We truly have so

much to be thankful for- beyond the material blessings.

We are wrapping up Children’s 2020 programs and look forward to restarting af-

ter the holidays in 2021! Our final hurrah will be a COVID adapted “Parents Af-

ternoon Out”. December 18th

is the last day of school in Kershaw County and is a

half day. From 12 noon- 3pm, we will offer a children’s program that will include

lunch, a craft, and a movie. All our program COVID precautions will be in place

and registration is essential. Please register no later than Dec. 13th

. But register

soon as possible because slots may fill up. We offer school bus pick up to CES and

PTH first come, first serve for children signed up! So don’t delay… sign up today!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Celebrating our Lord and Savior together,

Lisa Davis, Director of Children’s Ministry

LOOKING TO DECEMBER/JANUARY:

Sundays: (no SS on Dec. 20 & 27)

9:30 AM Sunday School (no nursery/preschool currently; Children K-5th

meet in

the Sanctuary; see emails or “Bethesda Presbyterian Kids For Christ” Facebook

page for online option)

10:30 AM Worship Service (in Westminster Hall and online at our FB and YouTube

pages)

December 2, 9 Wednesdays: (no meeting Dec. 16, 23, or 30th)

2:30-5:15 PM Pioneer Club- VBS Style (DiscipleTown) & Music Plus for school ages

December 13th

= Congregational carol singing during SS hour

December 18th

= Parents’ Afternoon Out; Must Register children through the office.

December 20nd

, 27th

= No Sunday School

December 24th

= Christmas Eve Services 5:30 & 7 PM

January Wednesdays: (Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27)

2:30-5:15 PM Pioneer Club- VBS Style (DiscipleTown) & Music Plus for school ages

THE HEALTH CABINET

We have heard the statement that music is the universal language that everyone under-stands. Music can be anything for anyone -a career, a passion, an escape or just a tool to enjoy. In our “new normal” worship we

wear masks and listen or sing softly as hymns are played.

Music can help the body to heal emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Music used for medicinal purposes is known to relieve anxiety, decrease pain, improve the immune sys-tem, relax and soothe the brain.

Before COVID arrived, we enjoyed a variety of musical tal-ent. We heard beautiful solos, violinists, harpists, choral ensembles, choirs, and recitals. These were planned by Be-thesda's music directors, Bo and Ari Dickinson. Music has always been an important part of our worship experience, and we anticipate seeing these activities return.

Psalms is the longest song book in the Bible. The OT writer expressed a heartfelt connection to God through music and prayer. Recently, when Ari sang The Lord’s Prayer for a dear member’s funeral, we knew “Surely the Lord was in this Place”

In Body Mind and Spirit,

Joy Parrott Parish Nurse

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Happy holidays, Ladies! I hope everyone was able to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! My husband, David, had a little bump in the road, but is at home recovering from his surgeries. Thank you so much for your prayers. Just knowing that my church family was lifting him up in prayers, was a big comfort to me. On November 29th, the PWCT will present the award to the recipient of last year’s honorary lifetime membership. Jane Clyburn has graciously agreed to present the award for me. Thank you Jane for your help. Although I was unable to help decorate the church and grounds this year, I heard y’all did a fabulous job. I look for-ward to seeing the festive decorations. Thank you so much to Jane and her crew for once again donating their time and tal-ents to make Bethesda beautiful. Like everything else this year, our Christmas celebration will look a little different. We will meet on December 8th at 10:30 in the McArn building to enjoy a few refreshments and watch our video (hopefully)! On December 7th, the PWCT will meet at 10:00 in John Knox Hall. I look forward to seeing all of you then. Upcoming dates to remember: Jan 4th - PWCT meeting at 10:00 Jan12th - Circle at 10:30 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Lisa Woolard

Music for Advent and Christmas We will sing our familiar Advent and Christmas

hymns in worship throughout December, and have the following special music as well.

12/6 - Bethesda Intergenerational Handbell Choir - children and adults offering music for the season. 12/13 - Sunday School Carol Sing at 9:30. Flutist Allyssa Connell Robinson joins us for worship. 12/20 - Harpist Nina Brooks will enrich our service. 12/27 - Our Men’s Quartet will sing. Violinist Lauren Decker will play for us again. We look forward to seeing you in church, and wish you every blessing throughout this exciting season! Bo and Ari

Presbyterian Women’s Honorary Life Membership

Presented to Emily Jones on Sunday, November 29th by Jane Clyburn in Westminster Hall. Here she is

accompanied by her family.

ACTIVITIES/ANNOUNCMENTS

CHRISTMAS EVE

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Thursday, December 24th 5:30 & 7:00pm

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

MEMBERS: : Bettysue Webber, Susan Marshall, Jim and Gail Sinclair, Betty Coombs, Lyn Bradley, Cornelia Bittle, Mary Tatum, Cindy Dieringer, Harvey Shaw, Mel Pearson, Bob Clithero, Jerry McBryde

FRIENDS AND FAMILY: Betty Whitman (Debbie Her-man’s mother), Debra Taylor, Alisa K. (friend of the Blanks), Wanda H. Hein (friend of Lindsay and Angie Guy), Lyn Neil (Jan Massalon’s cousin), Clara Fife (Lisa McCaskill’s moth-er), Tatum Stidham (granddaughter of Steenrods), Kathleen Burdin, Josie Tiller (Dickie & Kay Tiller’s great niece), Sarah Horejsi (friend of the Massalons), Billy Smith, Paul Spitzer (friends of the Outlaws), Scotty Martin, Barbara Cecil (Carolyn Drake’s sister), Anna Moody, Pam McGreevy (Lisa Woolard’s sister), Sandra Frith Messiner (friend of Linda Par-nell), Parker Robinson, Bob Beard, Mary Wannamaker Hen-drix, Dave Burrell (friend of the Satterwhites), Kim Barfield, David Woolard, Jimmy Kirkley (Ellen William’s brother)

Our Love and Sympathy to:

The family and friends of Helen Whitaker and The family and friends of Joanna Chatto

THE CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING A cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s, the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Because Advent and

Christmas shine a light not only on our world’s greatest hope but also on our world’s greatest need, the PC(USA) provides this timely opportunity for

congregations to support causes specifically designed to bring Good News of Great Joy to the poor in

circumstance or spirit. Alongside the message of promise and fulfillment in Luke’s Gospel, we also hear

the clear call to God’s people to respond in faith as Christ calls us: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded”

(Luke 12:48). Undesignated gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will be distributed equally to the Assistance Program of the

Board of Pensions and to support student scholarships at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges.

Angel Tree

Please stop by McArn Hall and choose an angel from the Angel Tree to help a needy child from

Midway Elementary School and Faith Dixon’s family.

The instructions will be posted, so please read carefully.

*Gifts are due back by Sunday, December 13th*

SACKS OF LOVE Monetary donations are welcome and needed to fill any shortfalls that we may have in donated food items. Any-

one interested in volunteering to help shop, pack or deliv-er to the school this year, please email Dee and Van

Blank at nealdeeblank@aol.com. Blessings, Dee and Van Blank

Food List for Sacks of Love *All should be individual serving sizes with pop-tops or tear-off lids*.

Tuna, chicken, spam Peanut butter and cheese crackers Beanie Weenies Ramen noodles Spaghettios, Beefaroni Poptarts Pudding cups Raisins Instant oatmeal Soup Instant grits Individual cereal boxes Canned fruit or fruit cups Applesauce cups Canned vegetables Juice boxes

DECEMBER SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

There will be no Sunday School on December 2oth and 27th.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1. Freddie Myers 3. Oralie Brown 4. Jennifer Barfield Lee Delperdang Patty Roberts 5. Judy Martin Terri Calk 8. Dickie Tiller 9. Madeline Schully 10. Olivia Cobb 12. Jeffry Moody 13. Maggie Wilcox 14. Melanie Newman Ella Grace Denton

15. Van Blank Hamilton Calk Finley Simmons Edwin Guy 16. Bert Dew 17. Rebecca Stokes Jim McLeod 19. Maria Brimmer Becky Lofe 20. Scotty Martin Edith Wood 22. Van Kornegay Jane Clyburn

23. Lyn Wooten 26. Jody Munnerlyn 28. Madelyn Huggins Ben Outlaw 29. Shannon Ammons

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

1. Kennedy Beam 3. Isabella Stephenson 5. Samantha Argondizzo 6. Lizzie Calk Linda Shaylor Josiah Kendall 7. Frank Harp Frankie Mahoney 8. Ed Holland 9. Bob Bates Pat Clithero Boo Hallman 10. Angie Guy Olivia Nash 11. Douglas Berry David Woolard 12. Marion Yarbrough

25. Jerry McBryde 26. Jo McLeod 27. Avery Floyd 29. Ann Denton Katie Pope 30. Billy Watkins Kathryn Watkins 31. Vaughan Dew Eric Rundlett

14. Jill Moody 15. Spencer Blank 16. Erline Vaughan Ann Sailors Mary Norwood 17. Robbie Hinson 19. John Shaylor 20. Trey O’Bradovich 21. Eva Marie Conley 22. Henry Ridgeway 23. Thomas Woolard 24. Mary Douglass Allen Roberts DeLaine Pearson Victor Jowers

Please check your weeky bulletin for any changes or additions to each week’s activites

2 S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1

2

2:30 Children’s

Program

3

4 5

6 9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

5:30 Youth

7

10:00 PWCT

8

10:30 PW Christmas

celebration

9

2:30 Children’s

Program

10

11 12

13 9:30 CF/Carol Sing

10:30 Worship

5:30 Youth

14

4:45 CE

6:00 Session

15

16

2:30 Children’s

Program

17 18

11:30 Parents

Afternoon Out

19

20

10:30 Worship

21 Rake and Run

10-2pm

22

23

24 Church offices

closed

5:30 Candlelight

Service

7:00 Candlelight

Service

25

Church offices

closed

26

27

10:30 Worship

28

29

30 31

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Please check your weeky bulletin for any changes or additions to each week’s activites

2020

Please check your weeky bulletin for any changes or additions to each week’s

1 Church offices

closed

2

3

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

5:30 Youth

4

10:00 PWCT

5

6

2:30 Children’s

Program

7

8 9

10

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

11

4:45 CE meeting

6:00 Session

12

10:30 PW Circle

13

2:30 Children’s

Program

14

15

16

17

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

5:30 Youth

18

19

20

2:30 Children’s

Program

21

22

23

24

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

5:30 Youth

31 9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

4:00 Youth

25 26

27

2:30 Children’s

Program

28

29 30

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2021

YOUTH CALENDER December 6 – BYG 5:30-7:30

December 13 - Progressive Dinner 5:30-8:00

December 17 – Operation Christmas Child Warehouse Mission Trip 3:30-10:30

December 21 – Rake-N-Run 10:30-1:30

January 3 - BYG 5:30-7:30

January 10 - NO BYG MEETING

January 17 - BYG Meeting 5:30-7:30

January 24 - BYG Meeting 5:30-7:30

January 31 - BYG Meeting 4:00 -7:30 Movie, Games, Dinner

Rake-N-Run!

Join BYG for a mission project you won’t want to “leaf” for another day! (Oh well, I tried to be funny!) We will do our annual rake-n-run on Monday, December 21 from 10:30-1:30. We will rake the yards of those who can’t physically rake themselves and then have dinner at the Little Midget! Mark your calendar for this fun mission project.

BYG Christmas Progressive Dinner and Gift Exchange

BYG will have two progressive dinners on Sunday, December 13th. The middle school youth group will be going to the Launsbery home and the Davis Home for dessert and gift exchange. The high school youth group will have dinner at the Floyd’s home and go to the Batten’s home for dessert and gift exchange. Each

person should bring a wrapped gift valued up to $10 for the gift exchange. The funnier the gift, the more fun it is! Mark your calendar as you won’t want to miss this fun evening. Middle Schoolers will meet at the church at 5:30 and will return at 8:00. High Schoolers will meet at the Floyd’s home (170 Southern Oaks Drive) and will be picked up from the Battens home (1718 Sarsfield Avenue).

Operation Christmas Child Mission Trip to Charlotte, NC

BYG will travel to Charlotte NC to volunteer in the Operation Christ-mas Child warehouse on Thursday, December 17th. We will leave Be-thesda at 3:00 and return at 10:30. We will be packing boxes for shipment. Please RSVP to John Gardner by Sunday, December 13th. This is a very fun and rewarding experience. (Are you a packer, taper, boxer, or crater?)

You must be 13 years old to attend this trip.

BETHESDA ACTIVITIES

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES DELIVERY

SIMPLY STILL WOMEN’S SERVICE NOVEMBER 15TH

PIONEER CLUB

VBS STYLE

Non Profit Org.

US Postage

PAID Camden, S.C.

29020 Permit No. 68

Bethesda Presbyterian Church 502 DeKalb Street Camden ,SC 29020 Return Service Requested

DECEMBER 2020- JANUARY 2021

POINSETTIA ORDER FORM

Our sanctuary will be decorated with poinsettias for the Christmas season. You may purchase a poinsettia to be given in memory or in honor of a loved one. Names of donors and those honored will be listed in the church bulletin. The cost is $15.00. Checks should be made payable to Bethesda and returned to the church office by Monday, December 7th. To the glory of God and in loving memory of: Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Given By: _____________________________________________________________________ To the glory of God and in honor of: Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Given By: _____________________________________________________________________ To the glory of God: Given By: _____________________________________________________________________