December 2013 Newsletter - files.ctctcdn.comfiles.ctctcdn.com/20ee3250301/6964d100-e70d-4df5... · December’2013’ 3’! October!2013!Treasurer’s!Report! October!Budgeted!Income!

December 2013 1

GRAHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

Volume 1 Number 11 December 2013

The words of author Ann Weems have always spoken to me in powerful and meaningful ways. As we enter this time of Advent, I could think of nothing better than to share her words with you. The reading below is from her book, Kneeling in Bethlehem.

Angel-Fi lled Alle lu ias

Wouldn’t it be wonderful If Advent came with angels and alleluias? Wouldn’t it be perfect if we were greeted on these December mornings with a hovering of heavenly hosts tuning up their harps and brushing up on their fa-la-las? Wouldn’t it be incredible if their music filled our waking hours with the promise of peace on earth and each Advent night we dreamed of nothing but goodwill? Wouldn’t we be ecstatic if we could take those angels shopping, or trim the tree or have them hold our hands and dance through our houses decorating? And, oh, how glorious it would be to sit in church next to an angel and sing our hark-the-heralds! What an Advent that would be! What Christmas spirit we could have! And angel-filled Advent has so many possibilities! But in lieu of that, perhaps we can give thanks for the good earthly joys we have been given and for the earthly “angels” that we know who do such a good job of filling our Advent with alleluias!

December 2013 2

YOUR CHURCH STAFF AND LEADERS Pastor: John W. Johnson Music Director: Kevin Uppercue Allison Wikle: Office Administrator Pam Hurt: Bookkeeper Elders: Foy Bayliff Randy Cousins Pat Flythe Tommy Foust (Treasurer) Sylvia Hayes (Clerk) Ron Osborne Rick Purcell Glenn Thompson Deacons: Katherine Bayliff Kim Davis Millie Fuller Lisa Holt Ron Kimrey (Vice-‐Moderator) Helen Byrd Jean Payne Kim Snyder (Moderator) Paul Straughan Brandon Troxler

Addison Fletcher Bill Faucette Zine & Shorty Price Frank Gamble Peter Slater Jane Hughes Layla Benoklen Nancy Florence Polly & Dick Wilson Sid Johnson Lois Lane Ida Whitney Family of Bill Reynolds Joe Boggs

Beth Nall Family of Carol Price Faye Campbell Jack Cook John & Ann Sutton Linda Whitson Pete Black Ronnie Hargis Mae Guthrie Sarah Jones Teresa Wilburn Shannon Russell Ragan Riddle

Ann Doss Diane Miller Brinley Lou Chelenza Dot Lee Hoover Campbell Joey Leake Family of Leon Kerley Rachel Paris Eunice Bullis Mary Belle Moore Robert Sykes Lauren Wilburn Kim Marley Don Boggs Beth McLean

Bethany Prayer List

December 2013 3

October 2013 Treasurer’s Report

October Budgeted Income $17,537.50

October Actual Income $18,314.11

Surplus (Deficit) $776.61

October Budgeted Expenses $13,761.55

October Actual Expenses $17,005.77

Surplus (Deficit) ($3,189.77)

Year-‐to-‐Date Budgeted Income $147,754.09

Year-‐to-‐Date Actual Income $157,984.64

Year-‐to-‐Date Surplus (Deficit) $10,230.55

Year-‐to-‐Date Budgeted Expenses $141,734.22

Year-‐to-‐Date Actual Expenses $134,047.61

Year-‐to-‐Date Surplus (Deficit) $7,686.61 Year-‐to-‐Date Overall Budget Surplus (Def.) $6,019.87

Year-‐to-‐Date Overall Actual Surplus (Def.) $23,937.03

Happy Anniversary to:

Sandy & Kenneth Cook December 2

Kim & Stephen Davis December 6

Carolyn & Glenn Thompson December 14

Zine & Shorty Price December 20

Lynda & Frank Gamble December 27

Happy Birthday to:

Alan Baldwin December 2

Jim Guthrie December 2

Kenneth Cook December 3

Anna Osborne December 5

Pat Testerman December 8

Ann Lucas December 11

Henry Flythe December 12

Mandy Snyder December 13

Vera Thompson December 13

John Boggs December 18

Steve Sumner December 28

Pam Hurt December 31

December 2013 4

Your Session and Board of Deacons met in a joint meeting on Tuesday, November 12th, at 7:00 pm. Here are some highlights of the meeting:

• John was called away at the last minute due to a death in the congregation, so the meeting was called to order, opened with prayer, and moderated by the clerk until John returned.

• Financial report was presented as information by the treasurer.

• Plans are underway for the church to undergo a financial review, as mandated by the Book of Order. Tommy Foust has been researching this and presented the name of Becky Loy from the firm of Cobb, Ezekiel, and Loy as his recommendation. This was approved.

• Christian Education: new adult class is off to good start – good participation / youth will be selling soup as fund-‐raiser for next summer’s conferences / discussions ongoing on beginning a new alternative worship-‐praise experience after the first of the year

• Missions: more volunteers are needed for Good Shepherd Kitchen once a month

• Personnel: recommended raises for staff members

• Worship: plans for Advent and Christmas underway / Session approved the fee for use of the church for weddings by non-‐members or non-‐active members be increased to $500.00

• Other business: Rick and John reported on attendance at Salem Presbytery / Sylvia Hayes was re-‐elected to serve as Clerk of the Session / Kathryn Bailiff was elected to serve as Church Treasurer

• John indicated the desire for Bethany to host a meeting of Salem Presbytery on May 17, 2014 / this was approved and the invitation will be forwarded to the presbytery office, to be approved by Presbytery Council.

• Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10th at 7:00 pm, and will be a Joint Meeting with the Board of Deacons

Stewardship Reminder What a great Stewardship Emphasis Season we just completed with our theme of “Becoming an EPIC Church: Joyful Response to God’s Generosity.” Remembering our four themes: “Experiencing God’s Generosity,” “Participating in God’s Abundance,” “Created in God’s Image,” and “Connected to God’s Family.”

The Stewardship Committee continues to put together our budget for 2014, and is so very grateful for the many of you who have already turned in your pledge cards.

However, there are still some who have not. As December is here, it is important that we tend to the business of the church and put together our budget for next year. But we need all our pledge cards to be submitted in order to do that.

So, whether you may have just forgotten, have procrastinated, have lost your card, or just haven’t gotten around to it, now is the time!! Please send in your card with your commitment of your financial resources for the coming year to the church office, to the attention of the church treasurer. If you do not have a pledge card, just call the office (227.4041) and we’ll get one to you. Every pledge counts. Please send in yours today if you have not already!

December 2013 5

As the end of the year nears, it is appropriate to pause and say “thank-‐you” to several members of our Bethany family who will be relinquishing some of their duties at the end of the year. Completing their terms on the Session are Elders:

Tommy Foust Sylvia Hayes Pat Flythe

We are grateful that Pat and Sylvia have agreed to serve another term on the Session. And completing their terms as Deacons, as the Board of Deacons will be dissolved as of December 31st: Kathryn Bailiff Kim Davis Millie Fuller Ron Kimrey Helen Byrd Jean Payne Kim Snyder Paul Straughan Brandon Troxler Lisa Holt Also, we recently learned that our Church Treasurer Tommy Foust has decided to step aside after serving several years in this position. We are grateful that Kathryn Bailiff will assume this role at the beginning of the year. Although not relinquishing duties, it is important to express our appreciation to our talented and dedicated church staff. As you see them, offer your gratitude to:

Kevin Uppercue – Music Director Allison Wikle – Office Administrator

Pam Hurt – Bookkeeper Foster Snipes – Buildings and Grounds

We also need to say thanks to our dedicated team of Sunday school teachers, and youth leaders who give of the time and energy to prepare and present programs and classes throughout the year. A big thank you goes to: Adult Classes: Gerald Donley, Benny Crutchfield, Kathryn Bailiff, Judy Holmes, Rick Purcell, & Kim Davis

Children and Youth Classes: Tracey Troxler, Brenda Sykes, Jean Payne, & Nancy Purcell Sunday Night for Kids: Nancy Purcell, Rick Purcell, & Tina Patterson

And finally, a debt of gratitude goes to our wonderful officers – the Session who guides us and makes sometimes difficult decisions regarding our church life. Thank you to: Foy Bayliff, Randy Cousins, Pat Flythe, Tommy Foust, Sylvia Hayes, Ron Osborne, Rick Purcell, & Glenn

Thompson. To say your service is invaluable would be a terrific understatement. Please accept the gratitude from me, on behalf of the congregation! Peace, John

Visit our website at www.bethanypresbyterian.org, and scroll down to the E-‐giving button on the right side of the page. Click on that and follow the instructions to sign up. If you have any questions, there is a document on the E-‐giving page (www.bethanypresbyterian.org/online-‐giving) which should answer those questions.

December 2013 6

Each Sunday’s sermon is available online by podcast. There are three ways to access the podcast:

• On our website: www.bethanypresbyterian. org • On our Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/bethanypresbyterian • Or by going to: www.buzzsprout.com/9198

December Worship Themes

Date Lectionary Texts Sermon Topic Hymns December 1 Communion

Isaiah 2:1-‐5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-‐14 Matthew 24:36-‐44

The Insomniac Christian

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah Come, Thou Long-‐Expected Jesus Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?

December 8 Isaiah 11:1-‐10; Psalm 72:1-‐7, 18-‐19; Romans 15:4-‐13; Matthew 3:1-‐12

Wild John and Homeless Jesus

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice May the God of Hope Go With Us

December 15 Isaiah 35:1-‐10; Psalm 146:5-‐10; James 5:7-‐10; Matthew 11:2-‐11

Total Reclamation Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah People, Look East My Soul Cries Out With a Joyful Shout O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

December 22 Isaiah 7:10-‐16; Psalm 80:1-‐7, 17-‐19; Romans 1:1-‐7; Matthew 1:18-‐25

Belonging to Jesus

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah O Little Town of Bethlehem To a Maid Engaged to Jesus Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

December 24 Christmas Eve Communion Candlelighting

Isaiah 9:2-‐7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:22-‐14; Luke 2:1-‐20

FutureHope O Come, All Ye Faithful Angels We Have Heard on High What Child Is This? Silent Night, Holy Night Joy to the World!

December 29 Isaiah 63:7-‐9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-‐18 Matthew 2:13-‐23

TBA (John away – Rick Purcell preaching)

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Go, Tell It On the Mountain O Sing a Song of Bethlehem Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

December 2013 7

December 2013

SundayM

ondayTuesday

Wednesday

ThursdayFriday

Saturday

1First Sunday of Advent

9:45 AM Sunday School

11:00 AM W

orship with Com

munion

2:00 PM Sunday Night for Kids

23

7:00 PM Budget & Finance Com

mittee

47:00 PM

Choir Practice5

7:00 PM Discovering the Bible #13

67

8Second Sunday of Advent


11:00 AM W

orship

97:00 PM

Circle #310

7:00 PM Joint Session and Deacon's

Meeting

117:00 PM

Choir Practice12


1314

15Third Sunday of Advent


11:00 AM W

orship2:00 PM

Sunday Night for Kids5:00 PM

Christmas Choir Program

1610:00 AM

Circle #17:00 PM

Circle #4

1718

7:00 PM Choir Practice

1911:15 AM

Good Shepherd Kitchen7:00 PM

Discovering the Bible #15

2021

22Fourth Sunday of Advent


11:00 AM W

orship

2324

7:00 PM Christm

as Eve Candlelight Com

munion Service

25John Aw

ayOffi

ce ClosedChristm

as Day

26

Office Closed

2728

29John Aw

ay


11:00 AM W

orship

3031

1New

Year’s DayOffi

ce Closed

23

4



11:00 AM W

orship with Com

munion


23


mittee

47:00 PM

Choir Practice5


67



11:00 AM W

orship

97:00 PM

Circle #310


Meeting

117:00 PM

Choir Practice12


1314



11:00 AM W

orship2:00 PM



1610:00 AM

Circle #17:00 PM

Circle #4

1718


1911:15 AM



2021



11:00 AM W

orship

2324

7:00 PM Christm


munion Service

25John Aw

ayOffi

ce ClosedChristm

as Day

26

Office Closed

2728

29John Aw

ay


11:00 AM W

orship

3031

1New

Year’s DayOffi

ce Closed

23

4



11:00 AM W

orship with Com

munion


23


mittee

47:00 PM

Choir Practice5


67



11:00 AM W

orship

97:00 PM

Circle #310


Meeting

117:00 PM

Choir Practice12


1314



11:00 AM W

orship2:00 PM



1610:00 AM

Circle #17:00 PM

Circle #4

1718


1911:15 AM



2021



11:00 AM W

orship

2324

7:00 PM Christm


munion Service

25John Aw

ayOffi

ce ClosedChristm

as Day

26

Office Closed

2728

29John Aw

ay


11:00 AM W

orship

3031

1New

Year’s DayOffi

ce Closed

23

4

Page 1/1

December 2013 8

Sunday Morning Classes – 9:45

The Fellowship Class / Bible study class using our denomination’s Present Word curriculum

The Young @ Heart Class / meets in Evie C. Marshall Room. This class will begin using a new curriculum this fall, using our denomination’s Feasting on the Word series.

The Seekers Class our newest class, meets in the Men’s Bible Classroom, and will be using our denomination’s Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding curriculum. Weekly Studies: Discovering the Bible meets on Thursday evenings at 7:00, and will meet throughout the year.

Elementary Sunday School / Meets on the Second Floor at 10:00 a.m. Preschool Sunday School / currently is not meeting During Worship / Children are invited to join us for “Young Disciple’s Time” Our Nursery is staffed by volunteers, for Sunday School and Worship every Sunday morning. Sunday Night for Kids / Meets in December on the 1st and the 15th!

Sunday School – 10:00 a.m. with Nancy Purcell

Sunday Night for Kids and Youth Regular 1st and 3rd Sunday meetings will continue through December. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Purcell.

December 2013 9

First Sunday of Every Month / Received during final hymn

Sunday, December 15th 5:00 pm

“Gloria” Antonio Vivaldi

Presented by the Bethany Choir

And guest musicians Directed by Kevin Uppercue

Christmas Eve Communion and Candlelight Service December 24th – 7:00 pm

December 2013 10

Help fill the Grocery Cart for our neighbors. All food is donated to Allied Churches Ministries Center to be distributed here in Alamance County. Good Shepherd Kitchen / third Thursday of the month, we serve lunch to the homeless and walk-‐in population of Allied Churches Ministries Center. Volunteers need to be on-‐site no later than 11:15 a.m. Sign up in the church office or contact Sherrie Moore for additional information.

Meals-‐On-‐Wheels / Bethany has a regular presence with Meals-‐On-‐Wheels. If you would like to help deliver food, please contact Sara Sizemore. The first Sunday of each month is Pennies for Hunger Sunday / don’t forget to bring your offering to help God’s children here at home and all around the world.

For additional information on these or other opportunities to serve, please call the church office.

Circle #1 met November 11th in the church parlor with eight members present. Our lesson emphasized that we should listen for God's call to serve even though we might feel inadequate . . . He will be with us. Highlights of the Women's Council Meeting were discussed as well as our Circle's Christmas luncheon, which will be at Da Vinci's Table December 10th at 12:30 pm.

Circle #3 met on Tuesday, November 19th in the church Fellowship Hall. Nancy Purcell led our Horizons Bible study entitled "God's Call to Serve". The lesson reminded us that, like Moses, we often doubt our own abilities, but we should trust God's when he calls us to serve. We also made four no-‐sew blankets for Kidspath and signed cards of concern. Our evening ended with refreshments and good fellowship. Our next meeting will be our annual Christmas dinner at the home of Brenda Sykes on Monday, December 9, 2013. We welcome any new members who are not currently attending a circle. Circle #4 met at the home of Lynda Gamble with seven members present. Judy Holmes gave an interesting Bible study entitled “Set Free by God” from the Horizon Bible Study Book. Great fellowship and delicious refreshments were enjoyed by all. The next meeting will be our covered-‐dish Christmas dinner meeting at the home of Katherine Bayliff @ 6:00. If you are not attending a circle, we would love to have you come and meet with us.

December 2013 11

!

The “ANGEL TREE 2013” This year the Presbyterian Women’s Council has decided again to adopt KidsPath and Eldercare families for the Christmas Season. This year we will provide Christmas items for the children of KidsPath and their siblings, along with elderly citizens who are clients of Alamance Eldercare.

The Angel Tree will be loaded and ready for your choosing the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving.

Several have asked to have angels in hand prior to Black Friday shopping.

KidsPath KidsPath is a division of Hospice of Alamance/Caswell. KidsPath provides services to families with

children who are experiencing a life threatening illness. They also provide grief counseling to children who have lost a loved one. KidsPath assists these families in many ways. In participating with our Angel Tree, we help out with Christmas gifts for the sick children and their siblings. This helps the parents who are struggling monetarily from the effects that a life threatening illness can

bring to a family. Often one parent has to quit their job to help care for the ailing child. Traveling to hospitals, overnight stays, paying for food when the child is in the hospital, surgeries, chemo, and

overall medical costs are devastating to these families at times. Our generosity helps make Christmas merrier and less stressful for these families facing a crisis with a child.

Alamance Eldercare

Alamance Eldercare provides assistance to Elderly citizens in our area who have very little to no family to assist them. These citizens usually still live in their homes, many of them alone, and have no one to make their Christmas special. In participating in our Angel Tree effort, we help provide

these beautiful people who are often overlooked, with some simple Christmas cheer!!!

How does the Angel Tree work? The social workers who are familiar and are assisting these families interview the families and come up with “wish lists”. These lists are turned over to us at Bethany, and we place the items requested on Angels (for KidsPath) or Doves (For Eldercare). Each KidsPath child or Eldercare patron will have multiple Angels/Doves represented on the tree.

How do I participate? • Choose Angels or Doves from the tree

• Purchasing the item written on the Angel or Dove • Wrap the gift, and attach the Angel/Dove you chose to the gift so that we know which item the

gift contains. Please tie the angel/dove to the gift so that it is easily removed without damaging the packaging

• Return the gift to the Fellowship Hall and place in the designated area NO LATER THAN

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15th. • If you would rather give a **monetary donation, and let us do the shopping, please give the

money to Tina Patterson or Nancy Purcell by Wednesday, December 11th.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16TH – at 6:30 pm Join us in the Fellowship Hall to SORT the gifts, and Wrap any gifts that were shopped for with monetary donations. ** Monetary donations will be used

to purchase items for unclaimed Angels, Christmas meals for the families, and to assist us in meeting other needs for these families this Christmas!!

December 2013 12

BETHANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1500 S. MAIN STREET GRAHAM, NC 27253

336.227.4041 Email:

[email protected] Website:

www.bethanypresbyterian.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

We are a community of believers Called by God to

Worship, Serve, Teach, and Support

Documents

December 2013 Newsletter - files.ctctcdn.comfiles.ctctcdn.com/20ee3250301/6964d100-e70d-4df5... · December’2013’ 3’! October!2013!Treasurer’s!Report! October!Budgeted!Income!