September 2011

Home Sweet HomeWhile I was in Nicaragua, I will admit that I was yearning for home a little. I

love doing our work in Nicaragua and I love being in mission and look forward to every trip. I admit, though, that I am a homebody. When I was a kid and I told people that God was calling me to the ministry, others would often encourage me to be a missionary. Well, I thought I would never go that far away from home.

After moving so quickly this summer and with so many things happening, I was a little confused about where home was. We really haven’t had much time yet to unpack and discover where we are. Fortunately, my family unpacked my boxes and I have found my way to hospitals, the district office and a few other places. I am still looking for several books and other things that I can’t find and I got lost coming home from Matthews the other day. I’m still finding my way around.

But I do know where home is. It’s right here with you, the good people of Bethlehem. One of the blessings of being an itinerant minister in the United Methodist Church is that home is where God’s people are and where God calls you to serve. Even though this summer has been very fast paced and I am still getting acquainted here, I am very blessed to call Bethlehem home.

There are so many good things that God is doing here at Bethlehem. I am so excited about the upcoming opportunities to worship and study and be in mission together. God is doing a great work here and I have sensed God’s presence and already feel at home. I’m glad to call Bethlehem my home. I hope you call Bethlehem home and sense God’s presence too. If your summer has been busy like mine, maybe it’s time to come home. I hope to see you at worship and the new Sunday night ministry “Branching Out” and other times, right here at home! I am glad to be at home!

Peace, Pastor Lynda

BRANCHING OUTSUNDAY EVENINGS

BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

5:00 – 7:00 PMFOR CHILDREN, YOUTH

AND ADULTS

DINNER at 5 pm(If your organization would like

to sponsor a dinner as a fundraiser, contact Laura Gann)

PROGRAMS: 5:30 – 7 PM Nursery for ages Infant – 2 y

Shining Stars: Children ages 3 y – 3RD gradeClub 54: Children in 4th & 5th grades

Youth: Middle School and High School Adult Groups:

Financial Peace University: Led by Alan Tyson Cost: $97.

The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem by Adam Hamilton: Taught by Lynda Ferguson

Cost: $13.Parenting Class “The Early Years”

by Les & Leslie ParrottTaught by Tim & Kim WalkupAnd Kevin and Tammy Belk

Cost: $10.Prayer Group: Led by Bonnie Smith & Libby Kiser

Family Camp at Camp Tekoa Bethlehem will be hosting a weekend retreat at Camp Tekoa located in Hendersonville NC. Although this is called “family camp” everyone is welcome to join in the weekend as one big church family!

There will be lots of fun activities, such asZipline, climbing wall, swimming, canoes, and paddle boats. There will also be worship, music, good food and a

Bethlehem talent show.The Cost is $55/person with babies in pack n plays free. This includes two nights lodging, and 4 meals plus activities at the camp.The dates are October 28 - 30. Sign up sheets available at the church and online at www.bethlehemchurchonline.org. See Laura Gann for more information and to sign up now.

ENJOY A WEEKEND WITH FRIENDS AND GOD IN THE BLUE RIDGE

MOUNTAINS!

Join us each Sunday at 10 am for Jesus Junction!

Ava's Gift to June, Inc invites you all to Wysacky's Wacky Day on Saturday September 24th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  There will be fun games & craft activities, bounce house, live music, horseshoe and cornhole

tournaments, vendors, silent auction, and more!!  All proceeds to benefit kids with cancer! 

HEY KIDS: PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR TZEDAKAH BOX (JEWISH OFFERING BOX) FROM VBS TO THE CHILDREN’S SERMON TIME ON SEPTEMBER 11.

  

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS FOR ALL YOUTH WILL BEGIN OCTOBER 6!

WATCH FOR DETAILS COMING VERY SOON!

BETHLEHEM CHILDREN

YOUTH NEWS

Hello Everyone!        Welcome to another year of PRESCHOOL! We are so excited to start the 2011-12 school year.    We have lots of exciting things coming up this fall at preschool.  We are starting our year with our Little Caesars Pizza sale!  Our church always helps support our preschool and our preschool scholarship fund by ordering pizza, cookie dough and pies from preschoolers.  Please see Ashley, Tammy Belk or Kristi Tyson if you need an order form. The last day to order will be Sept. 18. Thanks for all your support!

PRESCHOOL BEGINS SEPT. 6!PARENT ORIENTATION NIGHT: Sept. 1 at 7 pm

CHILDREN OPEN HOUSE: Sept. 2 at 9 am

SEPTEMBER 9 FROM 6 – 8 PMSEPTEMBER 10 FROM 8 AM – NOON

CONTACT ASHLEY BLACKMON (704-764-3602) OR DEE JARVIS TO REGISTER TO CONSIGN YOUR CHILD’S GENTLY USED CLOTHES,

TOYS AND EQUIPMENT.

BETHLEHEM PRESCHOOL NEWS

BEST YEARS GROUP

THE BEST YEARS GROUP will be attending theCouncil on Aging Annual Meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 13th, 2011 (note date change for Best Year Group meeting)The Agricultural Center

Monroe NC9:30 am Registration – 10:00 am Program

Lunch provided following the programPlease let Carolyn Starnes (704-843-2843) know by Sept. 1st if you plan to

attend.Reservations are required.

Please plan to drive your own car.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINICBegins Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011

And will continue on the first Sunday of every monththereafter

A nurse will be in the church library from 9:30 – 10 am

DISCIPLE BOOK ONE will be taught this coming year by Pastor Lynda. They will meet on Monday nights beginning Sept. 12 from 7— 9 pm in the fellowship hall. An Orientation meeting will be on Sept. 6 from 7—7:30 pm.

All adults are invited to join this 34 week class which will help participants become disciples through Bible Study. The cost of the class will be $42.00.

UMW AND UMM

DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY

Sept. 12: Helping Hands at 7 pm at the churchSept. 13: Witness and Service Morning at 10 am at the church fellowship hallSept. 15: Busy Bees Circle at 9:30 am at the home of Jane McWhorter. (Please note changes)Sept. 13: Willing Workers at 4 pmSept. 21: New Beginnings at 7 pmSept. 18: Care and Share Circle: Following unit meetingSeptember Church Responsibilities: Willing Workers

UMW LADIES: Please bring UPC codes from Campbell Soup labels or any item marked “Labels for Education” to the church or give to Mary Mosley by Sept. 4. There is a box in the Fellowship Hall Kitchen to place the codes. These will be

taken to the UMW Conference meeting in September at Lake Junaluska and use to help others.

************** UMW FALL BAZAAR RAFFLE

October 22!!Raffle tickets are on sale now for a lovely hand made quilt made by Hattie Starnes. She has worked many long, loving hours to make this quilt which will fit a full bed or make a lovely wall hanging. See any UMW member to purchase a ticket(s) to be in the drawing at the bazaar.

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The UMM will meet Sept. 4 for their monthly breakfast meeting at 7:15 am. All men are invited to attend

UMW FALL BAZAAR

Fall is just around the corner and that means that the UMW Fall Bazaar will be here before we know it. It's time to start preordering those delicious casseroles and deserts.  The preorder form is included in this newsletter.  Please copy and share it with all of your friends and family and don't forget to invite them to the Bazaar on October 22 at the

church where they will find baked goods, beautifully crafted items, canned goods and much, much more!

PRE-ORDERED CASSEROLES

THE UMW INVITES YOU TO ORDER CASSEROLES AND DESSERTS PRIOR TO THE BAZAAR. THESE ITEMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP AT THE CHURCH AFTER EACH SERVICE ON SUNDAY MORNING OCTOBER 9 IN THE FAMILY LIFE CENTER. PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM AND TURN IN TO KAREN TOTARO, MARY ALICE WILSON OR ANY UMW MEMBER BY SEPTEMBER 25. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL KAREN TOTARO AT 704-764-2134.

All casseroles are available in 8 X 8 pans and include warming instructions. These casseroles and cakes are of the highest quality and are absolutely delicious! If you are unable to pick up your order on October 9, please contact Karen Totaro at 704-764-2134 to make alternative arrangements.

Casseroles will also be available at the Bazaar on October 22, but pre-ordering will help expedite the orders.

We appreciate your support. All money raised goes to UMW Mission Projects.

CASSEROLES How many

Cost Each TOTAL

Chicken Pot Pie $10.00Chicken and Broccoli $10.00Chicken Casserole $10.00Lasagna $10.00

Baked Spaghetti $10.00Chicken and Dressing $10.00Chicken Tetrazzini $10.00Sausage Cheese Breakfast Casserole

$10.00

Sweet Potato Casserole with Topping

$10.00

DESSERTS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Coconut Cake $25.00Sour Cream Pound Cake $20.00Pumpkin Roll $15.00Sweet Potato Pie $8.00Pecan Pie $10.00

TOTAL $

Dear Pastor and Members of Bethlehem UMC,Greetings to you all, praying that our letter finds you all in good health. We were wonderfully blessed by your kind donation. We have taken care of some of our needs which were on our needs list for awhile. They are: a school sign to be placed at the main roadway, repairing a water cooler for school, placed an advertisement in the newspaper for new students, and gotten food for the school. We were able to

Name :

Phone :

Total # Items Ordered:

Amount Paid :

THANK YOU

also buy some windows and a door for the kindergarten department and praise God we were able to buy three tires for the school bus.Our hearts are full to know that you all remembered us, not only in prayer but also financially. Your gift of love has always come at the right time. We are so grateful and do appreciate you all.May God truly bless and keep you all as a family. Yours in Christ, Sophia Reid Admin./Plant manager Jamaican Christian School for the Deaf

Dear Bethlehem UMW and Sewing Group,Thank you so much for the school uniform pants, skirts, shorts and shirts. They met a real need in our school. It’s a massive and very worthwhile undertaking. God uses people like you with a generous heart and open mind to help carry out His work. We do not take your support for granted.Please keep the school in your prayers. Love in Christ, Marlene for Samaritans International

Thanks so much for your contribution to Wycliffe for us. We are at 96% of our monthly quota and hope to leave August 8th. We cherish your prayers for us as we leave our family. In His Grip, Dave and Judy Eddy

There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to all the Christian friends and loved ones at Bethlehem for their love, prayers, cards, calls, gifts and visits during this time of surgery and rehabilitation. I am now making steady progress, walking with a walker and still depending some on the wheel chair. I plan to see you at church soon. I’ve missed all of you so much. God is so good. I’m sure He has a plan for me so I will be vigilant to see what it is.May God bless all of you as you faithfully express His love to others.

Grace Goldy

Nursery Volunteers: 8:30 am:9/4: Meg and Mattie Harkins9/11: Ashley and Caroline Blackmon

SEPTEMBER CHURCH VOLUNTEERS

9/18: Lisa Robinson9/25: Dana and Jared Broome11:00 am:9/4: Leslie Kiser9/11: Michelle Owen9/18: Brooke Griffin9/25: Carey Mosley

USHERS FOR SEPTEMBER: Wendy Kiser, Zoe Kiser, Libby Kiser, Leslie Kiser

GREETERS FOR SEPTEMBER: Libby Kiser and Grace Goldy

ACOLYTES FOR SEPTEMBER9/4: Jillian Strickland 9/18: Carson Starnes9/11: McKenna Griffin 9/25: Brittany Plyler

“the orchard” October 2011 INFORMATION DUE ON OR BEFORE: Sept. 18, 2011

REMEMBER: To Reserve the Fellowship Hall & Family Life Center call the church office. If you have a reunion or event upcoming, be sure to call the office and make sure it is on the calendar.ADVERTISING :If your group or organization would like to announce a church event in the local newspapers, please have all information turned in to Leann Broome the week before it needs to run. INFORMATION FOR THE CHURCH BULLETIN: Turn in to church office by Wednesday.INFORMATION FOR THE SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENT SCREEN: Turn in to church office by Thursday BUS & SOFTBALL FIELD RESERVATIONS: Call the church office

Building Fund: In Memory Of:Lura Starnes By:

Wesley Fellowship/Alltogether Class Genny CourtneyKarol Welch Bette Sue & Bill DavisBrenda McWhorter Doris McWhorterBest Years Group Jane McWhorter

MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS

Mary Anne & Eugene StarnesJim Garrett By: David and Jenny GayAnnie Broome By: Audrey Tyson

Building Fund: In Honor Of:Doris McWhorter Brenda McWhorterBetty and John Couick Sue and Gene BrantleyJonathan Couick’s Birthday Jane McWhorter’s BirthdayDobby McLean’s Birthday Todd & Kim Starnes’ BirthdayGaile Rowell Birthday Edwina Starnes’ Birthday & NolanAjean Broome Grace Goldy

By Betty and O’Neil StarnesBrady & Phyllis Laney’s 50th Anniversary By: Jane McWhorterCarolyn Porter By: Audrey Tyson

Chancel Choir Fund: In Memory Of:Lura Starnes By:

Billy and Trina Tyson Mary and Mike MosleyClarence and Phala Starnes Gloria RoddenMr. and Mrs.Claude Broome Walleen NorwoodAnnie Broome By: Walleen Norwood

Sound System: In Memory Of:Nelson Starnes Lura Starnes

By: Reece and Carolyn Starnes

Cemetery Fund: In Memory Of:Nelson Starnes Willene Griffin Howle

By: Billy and Trina TysonLura Starnes By: Edith Broome and FamilyOur Special Members at BethlehemIra Lee Starnes (DOB 9-13)Autumn Care Nursing Home311 W. Phifer St.Marshville, NC 28103

Virginia Starnes (DOB 6/13)

Brian Center Room 106204 Old 74.Hwy EMonroe, 28112Phone: 704-282-0097

Mildred Cox (DOB 12/11)7414 Olive Branch Rd.Marshville, NC 28103704-385-5015

Creola Starnes (DOB 5/13)6417 Lancaster HwyWaxhaw, NC 28173

Allen Moser(DOB: 9/25)5605 Lancaster HwyMonroe, NC 28112

Helen Robinson (DOB 6/29)Rehabilitation & Nursing Center of Monroe

1212 E. Sunset Dr.Monroe NC 28112

Helen Faires (DOB: 9/27)1118 Crestbrook Dr.Charlotte NC 28221

Finance Report through the week of 8/21/11

Needed each week $6,265Average Weekly Received past 34 Weeks

$6,335

Budget Needed past 34 weeks

$213,010

Budget Received 34 past weeks

$215,388

Ahead / (Behind) budget past  weeks

$2,378

1. Kathy Medlin

Tori Tsitouris Carol FrazierM/M Sheldon Medlin2. M/M David Gay

Contact Information5300 Nesbit Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Phone: 704-764-3602 Fax: 704-764-9020

Lynda’s Mobile: 704-290-9959www.bethlehemchurchonline.org.

Pastor: Rev. Lynda FergusonLynda@bethlehemchurchonline.orgDirector of Christian Education: Laura Gann laura@bethlehemchurchonline.orgAdmin. Assistant: Ella Barefoot ella@bethlehemchurchonline.org Preschool Director: Ashley Blackmon ashley@bethlehemchurchonline.orgChurch Office Hours: M – Th. 9 am – 5

pm; Fri. 9 am - noon

3. Justina Dawkins5. M/M David Piddock8. Anne Britton Stuart Britton Dana Broome Amy Mosley Graham ThompsonM/M Donald Tyson9. Margaret Hill Dillon Durham Carolyn Porter Linda Ducombs10. Kim Helms12. Haley Britton13. Mary Anne Starnes Ira Lee Starnes14. Nathan BlackmonM/M Jerry Hill15. William StricklandM/M Warren Lathan16. Carter Blackmon Caroline Blackmon Janice Palomba Jeremy Gilliard Troy Hinson

17. Caleb BrownM/M Nat Hunter18. Lisa Laton20. Libby Kiser21. Debbie Belk Kim Walkup22. Jason Eubank23. Mark Pauley Shawn Palomba Dee Jarvis24. Gene Brantley, Sr.25. Allen Moser Jennifer Hinson

26. Brad Hartis Justin McWhorter Zack TysonM/M Eric Tsitouris27. Helen Faires Sue Brantley29. Shelby Eubank30. Glenn KiserM/M Jeremy Liles

A special Thank You to the Family of Lura Starnes who gave the church a wheelchair to be used however needed.