Category: General

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:22 ESV

As we celebrate our nation’s independence and 243^rd birthday, the image of the Liberty Bell would be a symbolic image. But the header picture here is of Bethany’s bell from the church building that burned 11 years ago. A church bell is appropriate for our July theme, Let Freedom Ring! If we believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and our Savior, then He has set us free from sin. So, as people free from the slavery of sin, living in Christ’s Kingdom, a church bell is symbolic of the grace of Christ. Let Freedom Ring!

Bethany will hold its annual Sunday School Picnic at Camp Caroline tomorrow, 23 June, beginning at 2 PM! After fun at the pool and on the creek, supper will be served around 5 PM.

The Sunday School also is providing gluten-free buns, and Bubba Veggie Burgers to make our gluten- free and vegetarian people feel welcome!

While the Sunday School is providing hamburgers and hot dogs, those attending are invited to bring a side dish or dessert to the picnic so that there will be a variety of food available for everyone to share.

So, enjoy your time at Sunday School and worship tomorrow, then eat a light lunch, and go to Camp Caroline to enjoy fun, fellowship and supper with Bethany family and friends!

Note: There was not room in the Beacon to report the text of the motion voted on in the general board meeting June 2, so it is presented here.

The following motion was introduced during the general board meeting June 2. The motion failed by a vote of 6 nays to 4 yeas.

Motion: That prior to each General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and each General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina, all resolutions and other important business to be voted on by delegates to those assemblies be printed in advance and made available to members of the congregation of Bethany Christian Church.

Further, that a congregational meeting be called prior to each assembly so that the members of the congregation have an opportunity to discuss the resolutions or business items and vote yea or nay on each, and so that the congregation is informed of the business of the regional church and the general church, and so that Bethany’s delegates to the assembly(s) can cast their votes in accordance with the expressed will of the congregation.

Summertime brings thoughts of being outdoors with family and friends.  Bethany is providing an opportunity to do just that!  Each year on the fourth Sunday in June, Bethany has it annual Sunday School Picnic.  It should probably be called the Church Picnic since everyone is invited, not just those who attend Sunday School.

The event begins about 2 pm, Sunday, June 23^rd and will continue until approximately 6 or 6:30 pm.  Activities include kayaking, sailboating, swimming, lazing by the pool, eating a meal together, fellowship, and fun.  If anyone wants to bring some other type of yard gaming activity, it will be welcomed.

Our Sunday School Superintendent, Chris Watson and some of his helpers, will cook the hot dogs and hamburgers.  The hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, beverages, condiments, plates, napkins, and utensils are furnished by the church.  We do ask that you bring your favorite side dish that you want to share with others.  Examples might include fruit, vegetables, dessert.

So…come on out to Bethany’s annual Sunday School picnic at Camp Caroline on Sunday, June 23^rd.  FYI…For those who just would like to participate in the food and fellowship portion, the food is usually served between 5 and 5:30 pm.

We look forward to seeing you at the Camp!

Have you heard?  Bethany Christian Church will be going on an “out of this world” Vacation Bible School (VBS) adventure.  We are launching a “Miraculous Mission” the week of July 15^th through 19^th. 

Each day will begin at 8:30 am with our opening ceremony where we will greet each other with songs and other activities relating to our VBS theme.  Wait until you hear the stories that a “mad scientist” will be telling!  Also, there will be Bible challenges, games, crafts, and, of course, snacks.  The day will be packed full of excitement concluding at 11:45 am with our closing ceremony.

We met with some of the area churches on Sunday, June 2^nd to introduce the theme and to begin the process of finding out the number of children that might attend and who would like to volunteer from each of these churches.  We will be meeting again on June 16^th.   We will be asking for your help in a variety of ways:  team leaders, decorating, crafts, snacks, musicians/leading songs, photography, publicity, leading games, etc.  If you would like to volunteer for any of these positions, please contact Rev. Osgood or Christine Beeman.

Let’s make this VBS an adventure that will be fun and memorable for all the children and will help bring children closer to Jesus.

SCOTTY WINS!

Good news? Yes, at least in this world where we build idols that please us. But what, really, is good news?  It is not that our favorite candidate won the election, or that our favorite celebrity won an Oscar.

It is that the Son of God, while fully human, suffered and died a cruel death on a cross to wipe away the sins of the world!

But that’s not the end of the story! What really makes that story good news, is that, after that cruel punishment and death, Jesus arose from the dead, conquering death itself, and became Savior to the world!

Imagine the headlines and story in The News and Observer Saturday morning and Monday morning:

JESUS OF NAZARETH CRUCIFIED FRIDAY

Jerusalem (AP)—Israeli leaders, seeking to end “religious blasphemy” and avoid a showdown with Rome, convicted, sentenced and executed Jesus of Nazareth, a so-called “revolutionary,” at Golgotha, Friday…

TOMB EMPTY: FOLLOWERS CLAIM TO SEE “RESURRECTED” JESUS!

(Special to The News and Observer) Jerusalem—Following the Friday execution and burial of Jesus of Nazareth, self-described “King of Jews,” authorities found his body missing from its tomb Sunday. While they termed the event a “grave-robbing” by Jesus’ followers, several of those followers claimed to have seen the “resurrected” Jesus among them Sunday.  In an interview with staff news writers…

Now that’s good news!

 

 

 

Don’t miss this unique fundraiser in the fellowship hall of  Bethany Christian Church Saturday, June 1, 8 AM to noon!

Reading is a guilty pleasure for some folks, whether it’s escaping into a good book or increasing your knowledge with a challenging non-fiction.

For others, the siren’s call of a new pocketbook is a guilty pleasure. Choose from a wide array of designer bags ranging from fabrics, leathers, everyday, evening and travel.

To view available purses, click on the link below and browse through the offerings, reading the descriptions. Each purse is numbered within its category, and coded with the descriptions.

Not able to be in Arapahoe June 1? Just send a text to 252-514-5870 and we’ll accommodate your transaction using a Square Account. Books are only available at Bethany during the fundraiser.

Pocketbook and Book Sale Post 190520 Final 0544 190521

 

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” —Proverbs 31:25-29

The scriptural description alludes to a mother’s love for her family and is a general model for mothers.

Another Bible verse is ““Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12). In most families, the mother has the most contact with children in their formative years, so, consequently, has the most influence over the development of their values.

If you have accepted Christ, and you live your life as a Christian and a good citizen, you most likely have your parents to thank, particularly your mother. So thank her on Mother’s Day! If she is deceased, thank the Lord for her!

Bob Kennel Ltr to Valerie Re 2019 Reg Assembly

The NC Disciples of Christ Regional Assembly 2019 Release