December 2015 A Publication of

Bethany Christian Church

1920 N. Rangeline Road Anderson, IN 46012 Phone: 765.643.5713

www.bccanderson.org

SUNDAY MORNING: 9:00 A.M. Worship

Sunday School Kids Church

10:30 A.M.

Worship Sunday School

STAFF: Bob Bell,

Senior Minister

Chris Bell, Students

Gabriel Ohmes,

Worship

Tim Fair, Discipleship

Tisha Schultz,

Children

12/5 Cookies & Canvas (Ages K-6th w/adult) - 1:00-3:00 pm

12/6 L.I.F.E.Line - 9:00 am

12/6 Congregational Meeting - 9:00 & 10:30 am

(Confirmation of officer candidates)

12/6 Resolve Bowling (5th & 6th grades) - 12:00-4:30 pm

12/10 Bereavement Support - 7:00 pm

(Candlelight memorial service with Dick True)

12/13 Ordination Sunday - 9:00 & 10:30 am

(Ordination of new officers)

12/20 Student Ministry Christmas Party - 6:00-8:00 pm

12/24 Church office closes at noon

12/25 Church office closed

12/26 Church office closed

12/31 Church office closes at noon

1/1 Church office closed

What is your favorite Christmas song? What is your favorite Christ-mas movie? What is your favorite Christmas candy? What is your favorite Christmas tradition? What is your favorite Christmas food? What is your favorite Christmas decoration? What was your all-time favorite Christmas gift? I wonder if all these “favorites” were what God had in mind when Jesus was born. Sorry, I set you up for that one. And, sorry, for insert-ing a little Christmas Scrooge into your happy thoughts. Actually, I think it is becoming easier to focus our attention on the birth of Christ during Christmas and not be overly distracted by all the commercial-ism. Did you ask “How?” How is it possible that it is easier now than before to not get lost in the com-mercialism? Well, here is my thought. “Back in the day” when I was a kid, I had to walk to school in the snow, uphill both ways, with cardboard in my shoes and socks on my hands for gloves. (I actually did walk to school, but it was flat and sidewalks all the way. And I often did wear socks on my hands for gloves; actually over my gloves, al-though it is nice because you don’t have to figure out the fingers or

even thumbs when you wear socks on your hands. You just stick your hand inside.) But, back in the day, when Christmas started around Thanksgiving, it was all new, excit-ing, anticipated, fresh, and the first Christmas light meant you were only a few weeks from Christmas. I would get lost in the wonder and in the JC Penney Christmas catalogue. But now-a-days, Christmas deco-rations are in the stores by mid-September. People are not sure whether the Santa suit is there for Christmas or for Halloween. Christmas decorations are out for so long, it seems they loose their excitement. By the time Christmas really arrives, all the elements which were supposed to stir our hearts and get us thinking and fo-cused have grown ordinary. I think those who have tried to extend the Christmas holiday for personal gain have “shot themselves in the foot.” So, what do we do? We do what we have always done. We enjoy all the excitement. We try to keep ourselves focused. We remember the birth of Jesus. We read the events as recorded in the Bible. We reflect on the hope which has come. We dream of the promise which is now possible. We sing our favorite

Christmas carol as a way to express our hearts. We watch our favorite Christmas movie to laugh or cry with a friend or with family. We eat a piece of our favorite Christmas candy and enjoy our favorite Christ-mas food. We put up our favorite Christmas decoration as a way to celebrate Jesus’ birth. We think about our favorite Christmas gift and think about the giver and allow our thoughts be turned to the heart of God. “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terri-fied. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Sud-denly a great company of the heav-enly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ " (Luke 2:8-14)

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Bob Bell

Donavan Anderson, Bob & Cindy Bell; Mick,

Marlene & Blaire Chaplin; Cheryl Engbrech;

Tracy Gossett; Ralph & Sharel Marcum; Ted

& Valerie Mitchener; Pam Mullen; Bethany

Rielage; Leslie Stevens

We celebrate birthdays with

gusto in our home – in fact, we

even celebrate the boys’ half

birthdays! On the anniversary of

their entrance into our home,

we offer gifts, prepare special

meals, sing unique songs, and

recount heart-felt stories. We

note the growth of the birthday

individual, call out any mile-

stones of the past year, and

speak words of blessing over

their future as they move toward

the next birthday.

At Christmas time, we do the

same. We offer gifts to others in

our home and to those in our

community. We prepare special

meals that are usually enjoyed

(only) during this season of the

year. We sing unique songs –

many of which we know by

heart. And we retell the story of

the birth of Jesus. Here is where

too many of my previous Christ-

mas celebrations ended – with

Jesus in the manger.

This year I will make an effort

to note areas of spiritual growth

since my rebirth in Christ. This

year I will remember that the

manger is not the milestone that

makes Jesus special, but it is the

cross, the empty tomb, and the

eternal throne. This year I will

remember that Jesus has a fu-

ture in store for me, a plan for

my life, and that I am called for

His Kingdom.

I’ve come to realize this: our

celebration of Jesus’ birthday is

not supposed to mark an end of

a holiday season, but the begin-

ning of something amazing: a

life of grace, hope, and faith in

the Savior. Let’s live within

those incredible gifts all year

long.

Praising Him (Psalm 34),

Gabe

It’s Only the Beginning Gabriel Ohmes

Many thanks to all who took both time and money to fill and decorate

shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child ministry. 275 boxes from Bethany are on their way to

put smiles on the faces and tell the story of Jesus’ love in the hearts of children the world over.

This number represents 71 boxes packed, labeled, loved and prayed over by our awesome 5th and 6th graders, 23

boxes from the amazing Jr. & Sr. High group, plus 42 from Circle members and many more from Life Groups and

wonderful individuals. Thanks to those classes and individuals who donated almost $700 to help with postage for

the student-packed boxes. God’s love certainly shines through hearts, hands and shoeboxes at Bethany!

Sorting

books

for

Safe

Families

Packing

vitamins for

Haiti

275 Boxes!

Jr. &

Sr. High

5th & 6th graders

praying over shoeboxes

V O L U M E X L , I S S U E 12 B U G L E D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5

(USPS 106-930), published monthly by Bethany Chris-tian church, 1920 North Rangeline, Anderson, IN 46012-9666. Periodicals Postage paid at Anderson, IN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE BETHANY BUGLE, 1920 North Rangeline Rd, Anderson.

New Decisions Emily Mote - 11/8/15

Statistics as of October 2015:

GENERAL BUDGET

October Offerings $57,281

Year-to-date budget needs $684,042

Year-to-date actual giving $655,418

Amount under YTD $28,623

Budgeted weekly income $15,907

Average weekly income $15,242

FAITH PROMISE

Funds sent to C.M.F. for support of the

Kineman Family (Individuals/classes)

October offerings $2,898.00

YTD offerings $27,293.50

AVG WEEKLY ATTENDANCE

Year-to-date 537 (as of 10/25/15)

Please contact the church office

(765-643-5713) if you would like to

request giving envelopes or set up

your gifts for automatic withdrawal.

THE

BETHANY

BUGLE

Care Ministry Birthdays

Please remember the birthdays of our shut-ins with cards and visits.

John Newby - 12/9/37 5506 Leland Way Anderson, IN 46017 378-3779

Evelyn Miller - 12/14/27 Bethany Pointe-Rm. 220 1707 Bethany Rd. Anderson, IN 46012 641-9796

Bob Dalton - 12/31/21 1216 N. Scatterfield Rd. Anderson, IN 46012 643-0961

Births Sloane Ryan Riggs - 10/13/15 Parents: Cory & Erin Riggs; Grandparents: Larry & Patty Riggs; Uncle & Aunt: Kyle & Jerrica Riggs

Deaths Wanda Jean Hahn - 10/30/15 Mother of Jennifer Bell; Sister of Bill (Connie) Reding; Grandmother of Nicholas (fiancé, Elizabeth) Bell, Brynn Bell, Erinn Bell

Joy Reed - 10/30/15 Sister of Rick (Bobbie) Spaulding

Irvin “Wayne” Dowling - 11/3/15 Husband of Arlene Dowling; Father of Bobbi Renee (Rick) Eads, Tammy (Mike) Scarberry, Becky (Lucky) McMillan, Brian (Beth) Dowling; Grandfather of Lucas (Angie) Eads, Katie (Jody) Haas, Randi (Jason) Nuss-baum, Dustin (Amanda) Scarberry, Craig (Courtney) Scarberry, Carly (Tyler) Kingery, Nathan (Arie) McMillan, Alayna McMillan, Daniel Dowling, Bianna (Jonny) Reeves; Brother-in-law of Mary Ehle

Murial C. Chaplin - 11/13/15 Mother of Mick (Marlene) Chaplin; Grandmother of Jim (Amanda) Chap-lin, Drew (Amy) Chaplin, Blair Chaplin

DeLena F. Huffman - 11/9/15 Mother of Edna (Jerry) Lambertson

Faith Promise commitments for 2016 are $2,490.65/month

(as of 11/22/15 ) 01.22.16