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The Capsule A Monthly Newsletter for Members and Friends of
Bethel United Methodist Church 141 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, Connecticut 06801
Office: 203-743-6835 Pastor’s phone: 203-312-6789 Church email – [email protected]
Pastor’s email – [email protected] Website – www.bethelmethodist.net
Pastor – The Rev. John Parille Pastor Emeritus – The Rev. Robert T. Johnson
Director of Music – Todd Gorski Administrative Assistant – Cheryl DePoi
November 2016
A Message from our Pastor
Hello Saints,
November is upon us and with it brings the beginning of the holiday season kicking off shortly with
Thanksgiving. I find that Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays as I have gotten older. It’s less
stressful, no worrying about gifts, just eating, spending time with loved ones, and of course being
thankful!
My friend and I have raised turkeys for many years. There is nothing quite like a fresh turkey and we
know exactly what they have been feeding on all summer, it is organic as it comes. Of course, the
difficult part is having to say goodbye when it is time for thanksgiving.
Each year at the end of November, the President of the United States issues an official pardon for the
National Thanksgiving Turkey. That poor turkey has a good reason to be uneasy, without a presidential
acquittal, he is doomed to be Thanksgiving dinner.
And in a similar way, we are in the same situation when it comes to our sin. Without the pardon that God
provides, we would be doomed as well because “all have fallen short” as the Bible says. However,
because of our Savior Jesus Christ and the incredible sacrifice He made, we are cleansed from all sin
simply by asking for a pardon.
As we enter this busy time of year, I suggest we should stop and reflect on this wonderful act of love and
mercy. God loved us so much, that He sent His Only Son. As believers, we do have so much to be
thankful for, not only at Thanksgiving, but every day of the year.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Facebook If you are on Facebook and have not liked our page, please do so. Here you will find links to our sermons and also get a sneak preview of the upcoming sermon. If you are a member of our Facebook page we would ask that you “share” links with your community of friends. Sunday Morning Ministries for 8:30am & 10:00am November 6th Readers & Communion Stewards 8:30am: Peter Eckert Readers & Communion Stewards (set-up and serve): James Wolff, Tracy Brown Communion Stewards (serve and clean-up): Uta Robertson, Angela Bassett Counters: Janette Blackstock and Dave Albin Greeters: Linda Bruce and Betty Lepus Ushers: Team C: Debbie Albin, Krista Mayer, Frank Tomaino Sunday Morning Ministries for 8:30am & 10:00am November 13th Readers & Communion Stewards 8:30am: Paul Young Readers & Communion Stewards (set-up and serve): Sarah DeShan, Peter Philip Communion Stewards (serve and clean-up): Doug Williams, Wendy Williams Counters: Craig and Kathy Keith Greeters: Deb and Dave Albin Ushers: Team D: Tracy Brown, Fran Bartholomew, Paul McHugh, Lee Griswold Sunday Morning Ministries for 8:30am & 10:00am November 20th Readers & Communion Stewards 8:30am: David McClain Readers & Communion Stewards (set-up and serve): Family Worship Communion Stewards (serve and clean-up): Family Worship Counters: Bill Struth and Claudia Schaefer Greeters: Family Worship Ushers: Team F: Family Worship plus Alan Brown and Tammy Esposito
2 Sunday Morning Ministries for 8:30am & 10:00am November 27th
Readers & Communion Stewards 8:30am: Marty Bishop Readers & Communion Stewards (set-up and serve): Bill Struth, Kyle Johnson Communion Stewards (serve and clean-up): Jessica Bardelli, Julien Schaad Counters: Linda Bruce and Betty Lepus Greeters: Alan and Debbie Brown Ushers: Team B: Alan Brown, Linda Bruce, Tammy Esposito The People’s Corner Keeping up with the news of our congregation: Former BUMC member Ann Tibbatts had a knee revision surgery. If you would like to send a card her address is 138 Kinney Hill Rd, New Preston, CT 06777.
Outreach News Outreach is meeting on Thursday November 3rd at 7:00pm if you are interested in our Outreach Committee and serving our church and community please come join us. Tres Dias Reunion Group kick-off meeting will be Saturday morning November 12th at 8am in the sanctuary. “Fill A Van For Vets” provided by the Bethel Women’s Club will be here on November 12th during our monthly pasta dinner from 5:30-7:30pm. If the Spirit so moves you please see the items that they may need in the Heartbeat…Thank you! The “Giving Tree” will be up in Mitchell Hall on Sunday November 27th. This is a wonderful way to share the love of Christ during the Christmas Season…Thank You! “Warm Bodies Sunday” will be Sunday January 8th. We will be collecting new and used hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, coats, boots, and blankets…Thank you! “Spare Change Sunday” will be January 29th. All the spare change will go directly to anyone in our community needing some help in the form of gift cards and other ways to help someone get through a tough time…Thank you! Fundraiser – Bottle/Can Drive Please consider saving your nickel deposit bottles and cans for our bottle/can drive the 2nd Saturday of every month. Our next drive is November 5th. This year the benefits go to Julien Schaad’s ASP tuition. Off the Streets Off The Streets is all all-volunteer run organization which works to get homeless people into housing. If a homeless person has a source of income, Off The Streets will provide a security deposit and basic furniture and household goods. Off the Streets collects furniture and household goods from 10am to 12noon on the first Saturday of each month behind the Bethel United Methodist Church. Items most in demand are dressers, small kitchen tables with chairs, end tables, nightstands and lamps. The next drop off date is November 5th. For more information, go to www.offthestreetsnow.com or call 203-733-5880.
Please join us for our monthly
Family Pasta Dinners Bethel United Methodist Church
141 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT
November 12, 2016
December 10, 2016 January 14, 2017
February 11, 2017 March 11, 2017 April 9, 2015
May 14, 2015 June 11, 2015
Serving 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Adults $10 Seniors & Students with College ID $8 Kids $5 (under 5 eat free)
Family max price $25 (parents & kids)
Dinners also available to go! Call BUMC 203.743.6835 the day of dinner to place your order
Dinner includes:
Salad with homemade dressings
Pasta with marinara or meat sauce
Homemade meatballs .50 ea
Homemade desserts
3 Everybody! Please support your church by attending the 47th annual bazaar. This is the largest fund raiser your church has and it is so important that it is successful. Fellow congregation members are making a significant effort to have pictures with Santa, plants, prizes, gift baskets, food,craft items, merriment, and entertainment to make your visit enjoyable. Stay for lunch?, enjoy our gourmet choices. New this year are three concerts on Saturday you can attend. 10:00 AM Angel Thorn vocal students performing their Fall recital. 1:00 PM Please attend a community sing a long of Christmas carols led by our choir and esteemed Music Director Todd Gorski. Invite your friends and neighbors 2:00 PM Danbury's MadHatter Chorus will be performing. This is a group, well recognized around New England, of 29 men singing familiar songs in a barbershop acapella format. The Bazaar will be open Friday night, November 18th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturday November 19th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
We look forward to seeing you there;
The Bazaar’s success depends on your continued support! 11 Ways That You Can Help!
1. Donate a new/unused item or service for the Silent Auction (do you own a time share or property you could contribute? Do you have a skill, talent/hobby you could share?) 2. Donate handmade/new crafts (pillows, blankets, wood crafts, card making, doll making, knitting, crocheting, and felting) for Calico Corners 3. Donate Christmas crafts, ornaments, wreaths, or candles for Holly Hearth 4. Donate small, new/unused prizes for the Kiss Tree (hit the Christmas Tree Shop and visit those clearance bins when you are out shopping). We need prizes for adults and children 5. Donate plants and pots (or other containers), jewelry or small antiques for the Plants etc Booth 6. Cook a stew, soup, lasagna etc for the Taste of BUMC (cooking nights will be scheduled as these meals need to be prepared in the church kitchen) 7. Bake (cookies, loaves, breads, pies…) or prepare jam, fudge or candy for the Country Store 8. Donate a basket for the Theme Baskets Table (cooking, baking, coffee/tea lovers, pet, fishing, games, teddy bears, candles, movie night, sports….) 9. Donate your time to help at the Bazaar (setup the night before, run a booth, help in the kitchen or serve breakfast/lunch in the BUMC Café) 10. Donate GENTLY used books, puzzles and games for the Book Sale 11. Donate food supplies for the kitchen. These items need to be at the church by Friday November 18th 5pm. Signups available in Mitchell Hall for donations of time, food and many booth items!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please contribute in whatever way you can! Contact me with any questions, suggestions, offers of donation etc. ([email protected]) Thank you for your support! Peter Philip, Bazaar Chair Wanted Wine corks for a bazaar project. See Alice if you have some.
4 Request For Theme Baskets Please help make the Bazaar a big success. We are in need of Theme Baskets this year. This booth has been one of the main attractions of the Bazaar and we want to keep it that way! Over the years we have been relying too heavily on contributions from the community and we would like to get back to having church members donate baskets. It's fun and easy to create a basket. Gather the kids, your friends, your spouse, come up with a theme and use your imagination. Think of things you'd enjoy receiving and put it all together! There are some extra baskets in the closet in Mitchell Hall if you need one. If you have any questions or need ideas, please contact Nancy O'Halloran at 203 792-7833 or you can email me at [email protected]. Thanks! News from the United Methodist Women * The Prayer Shawl group continues to meet at 7 pm on the 4th Thursday of the month. All who like or want to learn crochet or knitting are welcome. They meet in the Johnson Building alcove. Contact Linda Bruce for more information. * We celebrate the Service of Light beginning at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary on November 28th. This is a service of remembrance of all the women who have paved the way and touched our lives. All are welcome to participate. There will be a business meeting after the service. Election of 2017 officers and Mission spending are on the agenda. * The New York Conference is sponsoring a Conference, District and Local Officers Leadership Development Day, on Saturday, November 12th in Westport. A few of our leadership team will be attending. Save the date Our first church sponsored blood drive will be held on Tuesday November 29. The Red Cross has asked us for this date since there is such a shortage of blood after Holidays. You can sign up on line @ redcrossblood.org. It will run from 1:00-6:00 p.m. We need 2 volunteers (one each for registration and canteen) for the duration of the drive. If you can help with a shift (2 hours) please see Alice Mayer.
Sunday School Time to be thinking about the Christmas Pageant to be held December 15th (Family Sunday) If you are interested in the planning and costume preparation please let Ann McLellan know. Thank You received from Noella Buschbaum Dear Members of the United Methodist Church Thank you so very much for your donation to the Granite State Dog Recovery programs. I am deeply touched by your kindness and compassion. Thank You. Sincerely, Noella Buschbaum Thank You received from Fern Blair To all the dear folks at BUMC, Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful gift. I want you all to know that I truly and absolutely appreciate it. God has certainly changed my life since May when Ken Keiffer called and said “I think I have a church for you.” – WOW Although I miss my homies at BUMC- I have become part of a wonderful congregation up here I the Northwest corner of Connecticut. Come and visit-you are always welcome!!!! Again, wishing you a heartfelt thank you. God bless you all. -Fern Perennial/Flower sale Thanks to all who bought plants and/or flowers from the perennial sale. We made $910.00 for the access fund. - Alice BUMC “Giving Gifts for Christ" List Items Needed The Giving Gifts for Christ program is a program where you can make a donation of an item needed by the church in honor or memory of someone. Below is a sample of some of the items needed at this time: General Needs of Church Pasta Dinner Needs Donations to the painting fund Sponsor a Pasta Dinner - $200.00
New steam mop White Plastic Tablecloths 52” x 108” Water for the cooler Roll of white plastic for tables Replacement chairs for Mitchell hall 1 case of sterno for dinners (Costco) (Costco, # 253029 Samsonite) Bethel Food Market gift cards Costco gift cards Sunday School Needs Sanitizer wipes or hand sanitizer
Music Program 3 first aid kits Donate to a new organ Small item for the Incentive Store (Religious theme
items preferred.)
5 Randall Wright Hall 50 year anniversary We are looking for people to join our Randall Wright Hall Anniversary committee. Anyone interested in being part of the committee please contact the church office at [email protected] or 203-743-6835. Also anyone having information concerning the construction of this building please leave your name and number so we can get in touch with you. Thank you!
Leadership Have you ever thought of being in church leadership? This is a wonderful opportunity for your faith to grow and to serve your local church. In the coming months, the nominating committee will be meeting to fill positions for our church leadership. Will you consider becoming part of the team? See Pastor John for more details.
Need activity space? Mitchell Hall: $180 for 4 hrs including set up time, (Pledging Members: $51.00 – tax deductible donation). $51.00 for partial Kitchen use (refrigeration and warming of meals), There is also a $75 refundable deposit in case of damage to the room or in case professional cleaners have to be called in. Rm. 201: $15.50 hr Free Piano and bench Upright Fisher piano, currently located in the Classroom. If interested, please contact Todd Gorski, Director of Music, at [email protected] or 203.743.6835. First come, first serve. Red Bird Mission The UMW collects Campbell’s labels and Boxtops for Education for the Red Bird. Please cut the bar code labels as we only need the bar codes. There is a small basket on the counter in Mitchell Hall for the labels. Opportunities to serve our church Please consider volunteering for our church service! We currently need readers, communion stewards, greeters, ushers and acolytes. Please contact Cheryl for more information or to sign up at [email protected] or 203-743-6835
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