As we celebrate this Christmas season, it is important to take time to reflect on God’s gift to us of the Christ Child. Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service provides the opportunity to do that, to renew our faith and dedication to God’s work and to join with our church family and Christians around the world to proclaim, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.”
Please share this sacred time with us at 8:00 pm at the Arapahoe Free Will Baptist Church.
One way we can express our love for God is to make an offering, especially appropriate at Christmas, when God shows us the great love of the gift of Jesus. Through our offerings we help make the presence of Jesus known, especially here in North Carolina.
The Christmas offering is used for our regional ministries only, and the bulk of support of our North Carolina Region comes from the Christmas offering. At Bethany we have felt directly our region’s presence recently as our regional minister guided us in our Faithful Planning process, and began working to help as we search for a new minister. The offerings of sister congregations, along with our own, makes those and many other services available throughout North Carolina.
Please give generously through the envelopes that will be provided in worship Dec. 16and 23.
Bethany’s outreach committee in November sent 62 shoe boxes with gifts for children to Operation Christmas Child’s processing center in Charlotte. They will be among 8 million distributed around the world where needed this Christmas. Thanks to everyone who participated.
The 5th Sunday Potluck covered-dish dinner will be held after the worship service at Camp Caroline, Sunday, Dec. 30. (Could this be a way to get rid of your Christmas dinner leftovers?) Please join us and bring a covered dish and/or a dessert!
The Prime Timers are seeking volunteers to plan the mystery dining destinations and drive the Prime Timers in the church van.
Some volunteers also are needed to drive Miss Anna Bissette to church when Ben Casey cannot do so.
If you can help with either, please sign up at the church office, or for more information, contact James Hardison.
Christian Womens Fellowship Missions Chair Mary Ann Sugg is asking people to volunteer to provide emergency transportation when needed. Please contact Mary Ann Sugg or the church office if you can help.
At this time, no canned vegetables are needed for the food pantry; however, items that are needed include canned meat products, juices, peanut butter, breakfast foods, nutritious snack items, pasta products, gravy and sauce mixes. Please bring some of these items on food collection Sunday, Dec. 23.
Bethany memorial bricks with engraved placques still are available for a $50.00 donation to the rebuilding fund. Stop by the church office or contact Terry Cannan.
Bethany’s fundraising committee will host a booth at the Arts & Crafts Fair Saturday, Dec. 1, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Craven County Fairgrounds.
Bethany’s annual Hanging of the Greens is Friday, Nov. 30, at 6:00 p.m., followed by fellowship and a hot bowl of chili. Please celebrate with us as we begin this most joyful season of the year!