SUNDAY,
OCTOBER 19, 2008

Jane Gray and Pastor Bill were faithfully attending meetings at Annual Conference in Greenville
on June 12, but for a few hours of that time their hearts and minds were back at Bethany for the
Hispanic/Latino dinner. Pastor Bill even called while we were preparing the food to say he was thinking of us.

     We were a little shorthanded, but everything went smoothly. Saray Reyes, Abraham, and Emanuel brought all of their usual enthusiam. We met some new men who were with us for the first time. Our devoted crew was there working together to welcome our guests and bring glory to God.

                                       

Titus 1:6-9 describes what godly men in the position of leadership in a church look like: "namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not  accused of dissipation or  rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's

steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful work which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who
contradict."

    We thanked God that Bill Cottingham is such a man and showed our appreciation for him on Sunday, May 19. As tokens of our esteem, we presented him with a Wanchese tee-shirt and a gift certificate to Lone Cedar Restaurant. Let's remember to lift him up in prayer daily as he does the work that our Lord has called him to do.

 

                                       

Congratulations to Nancy Gray. She is now a lifetime member of the United Methodist Men.  This is a most deserving award for someone who is always there to provide the meal, set up and clean up. She is there whenever we need her.   The money was raised by the Bethany United Methodist Men for this award.

 All of the money received goes toward missions. Again, congratulations Nancy and thank you, for all you do .    

 

 

                                                      
  

                                            Congratulations to Ben Midgett and Tom Garretson

                                                                    Fathers of the Year

                                                               
                                                                        

                                                                   Congratulation class of 2008

Brent Elliott, Frank Rodriguez, Dennis Schillings, Evan Davis, Margaret Dunnigan, Karen Grimes and Lillie Callaway

                                                         

The Methodist Men have been active in a local mission project with Mt. Carmel Methodist Men. More to come in the next newsletter. Also we would like to say how much we enjoyed the fellowship with Mt. Olivet Methodist Men. They had a wonderful program and dinner. We hosted them at our June meeting. Our guest speaker was Dare County Commissioner Mike Johnson.  

 

Wednesday, July 30 at 7:00 p.m.

FREE PREVIEW CLASS
Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University

Next preview class will be Wednesday, August 13 at 7:00 p.m.

Class will begin on Wednesday, September 3 at 7:00 pm

    

Sunday, July 27    4:00 p.m.

            Fellowship Hall

NOTICE TO CUDWORTH CEMETERY LOT OWNERS:

Please remember your cemetery dues for mowing in the Cudworth Cemetery in Wanchese. Dues are $10.00 per lot, annually.

Make payment to Cudworth Cemetery Fund
                             P. O. Box 100    Wanchese, NC 27981

Thank you for helping to keep the cemetery looking nice.

                   Connie Bateman   473-3350

                                                           
   

                                        

        The Pre-School wound up their year by playing putt putt at the Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf Course.  All the children, parents, and grandparents had an opportunity to play eighteen holes of miniature golf.  After playing golf, the parents and grandparents had planned a pirate themed luncheon where the children enjoyed a sandwich, chips, drink, and a pirate cupcake served in a pirate hat.  The area was decorated in a festive manner.

     Later, that evening the children gave their end-of-the-year program, where they shared secular and sacred songs they had learned during the year.  The children also shared their skills at spelling their names as well as counting.  The children going to Kindergarten this coming year were honored as they marched in with their graduation hats and later were presented with their Pre-School diplomas.

     It was wonderful to see our church sanctuary packed with family and friends of the Pre-Schoolers as they shared with them.  Our Pre-School has been such a wonderful ministry in our church bringing many people to Bethany to be a part of our Sunday School and attending our worship services.

     At this time, the Pre-School has twenty-three children enrolled.  We have two applications that have been sent to parents and have not been returned as yet.

 

 

 

Parents, Grandparents, Caregivers, and Neighbors

       As in the past two years, we will be having summer story hour on Monday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. The first session will be Monday, June 30 and the last will be Monday, August 11, 2008. Although it is geared to younger children, all ages are welcome. Older children will act as much needed helpers.

        Please plan to bring your little one each week to enjoy a story, a craft, and a snack while learning about Jesus.

 

                                 

            I would like to say our Church is alive and well.

            This past week of holy conferencing has been one of encouraging news. May I reassure you of this NC Conference desire to uphold the teaching of the prophets and of Jesus Christ himself.

            Our keynote speaker, Leonard Sweet compared the church to Newark, NJ airport.

The inside of the airport is packed with people, confused, looking for a way out of the confusion. Once tickets are bought, they are transported out, where their destination is clear and ahead of them. The inside of the church is packed with people looking for direction and confused about world events. Once they are nourished on the word, they are ready to transport out into the world with a clear set of directions.

            We were also encouraged to take risks not to be afraid. The Methodist church was founded on risk takers often called “enthusiasts”. Are we passionate enough in our relationship with Christ to be called an enthusiast?

            The church was also compared to boats in a harbor. During a storm, boats are launched out into the deep water to allow them to do what they are designed to do float. If during a storm the boats were left tied up in the harbor, they would be destroyed. It is better to be out into the deeper part of the water. It is the same for us in the church. The church is in a huge storm right now. We need to quit seeking refuge inside the walls. We need to launch out into the risky deeper water, to accomplish what God has for us.

            Also, during a storm, the captain of the boat was known to tie himself to the mast in order to stay focused on the direction the ship needed to go. We were encouraged to tie ourself to the cross, to stay focused on the direction Christ gives us.

            In a storm, a ship needs to get rid of all the excess baggage on board to lighten the boat. Do you have excess baggage you need to be rid of?

            The homosexuality issue in our church is one of great concern, not only for us, but for our Bishop as well. Rest assured they take seriously this topic, and are working to make sure God’s will is accomplished in all our lives.

            This week of holy conferencing was long, tiring, and a tribute to the men and woman who care enough about us, as an individual body of believers, to go to a great deal of planning to accomplish the administrative side of our Lord’s bride.

Thank you.
 

Angie Basnight