9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

(Phil. 1:9-11 ESV)

In this prayer by from Philippians, the Apostle Paul prays that they “may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment”. What is Paul praying for the Philippians?

1) That their love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight;2) That they may be able to discern what is best;3) That they may be pure and blameless until the day of Jesus Christ; and…4) That their lifestyle, conduct, and accomplishments can be “to the glory and praise of God”!

Paul prays for a balance in the lives of the Philippians so that they can discern the truth and know how to respond correctly. For this Paul ask God to give them 3 guides to help them always do the best thing: #1) the love of God; #2) true knowledge; and, #3) insight from the Holy Spirit

You could pray for yourself or someone else in this manner:

“In the name of Jesus, I pray that Your love that was shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit would abound and grow more and more, to the strengthening of my knowledge of You and of the things You have called me to do as well as in the discernment and spiritual insight of the Holy Spirit.”

“Help me to know the right things to do and how to do them with excellence, and to remain sincere, genuine, and real in all my encounters with others and free from blame or even the appearance of evil until the day of Jesus Christ’s return. I pray that I will overflow in the fruits of Your righteousness, which I have because of Jesus Christ. Please cause all of this to make me a constant glory and praise to You under all circumstances in all things. AMEN!”

Let’s make ourselves available to the Lord to be used as His agents of transformation – for ourselves, for others, for Bethel EPC, for our community and for our world.

The SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER will be observed during worship on January 8, 2017, January 22, 2017, February 12, 2017 and February 26, 2017. If you have a known allergy that keeps you from participating in the sharing of the communion elements, please let an elder know.

PROJECT H.O.P.E.Help restock the H.O.P.E. food bank for the

month of JANUARY

CANNED SOUP AND CRACKERSFEBRUARY/MARCHHYGIENE PRODUCTS

(TOOTHPASTE, SOAP, DEODORANT,SHAMPOO)

Ordination/Installation of new church officersSunday, January 15, 2017

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Blood Drive is January 26 at Westfield Most people have blood to spare, yet there is still not enough to go around. By being a blood donor you will help ensure blood is available when needed. You could help save more than one life with just one donation! Mark your calendar for Thursday, January 26, 2017, and between 1:30 and 7 P.M. you can be part of the Red Cross Blood Drive at Westfield. The American Red Cross depends on volunteers like you to perform its mission.

January/February 2017 NEWSLETTER

Bethel Timeline from 1798 to 19861798. ~Bethel holds first service

Thomas Jefferson, then Vice President of the United States, informs the American Philosophical Society of his invention of a new moldboard for a plow. - The Territory of Mississippi is established from parts of Georgia and South Carolina,

1804 ~ Bethel moves to its present location Burr–Hamilton duel  (Alexander Hamilton dies) Lewis and Clark  set out

1837 Bethel builds its first wood frame churchMartin Van Buren inaugurated as 8th presidentCharles Goodyear obtains his 1st rubber patent Queen Victoria ascends British throne rules for 63 years

1863 First Sunday School held at Bethel (Robert Raikes, founder of Sunday Schools, died. 1811)Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham LincolnSamuel Clemens first uses the pen name Mark Twain in a Virginia City newspaper

1868 Bethel builds present front of churchHouse the 17th President Andrew Johnson avoids impeachment by 1 voteJesse James Gang robs bank in Russelville, Ky of $14,000

1898- Bethel celebrates is Centennial John Philip Holland achieves successful test runs of the first submarine off Staten IslandPres McKinley asks for Spanish-American War declarationWilliam Kellogg invents Corn Flakes

1904 Bethel remodeled church, arches were added.construction begins on Panama Canal Bronze statue of Christ on Argentine-Chilean border dedicated

1916 Manse builtCongress authorizes McKinley Memorial $1 gold coinWomen are allowed to attend a boxing match

1926 Bethel church moved 30 ft. south 20 ft. east to its present locationDisney Brothers Cartoon Studio becomes Walt Disney StudiosFirst transatlantic telephone call from London to N.Y.

1935 – Bethel Articles of Incorporation for establishment and financing a new cemeteryAmelia Earhart flies from Honolulu to Oakland, Calif non-stopAirplanes are no longer permitted to fly over the White HouseElvis Presley born

1948 Bethel sesquicentennial First tape recorder soldMahatma Gandhi assassinatedPhilips begin experimental TV broadcastingPres. Harry Truman urges congress to adopt a civil rights program

1951 Bethel Sanctuary enlarged1st jet passenger trip madeUN headquarters opens in Manhattan NYUS performs nuclear test at Nevada Test SiteKorean War in 2nd year

1973 Bethel builds pastors study, conference room and meeting room (Now library area)Watergate burglars plead guilty in federal courtSenate names 7 members to investigate Watergate scandal

1986 Fellowship added25th Space Shuttle-Challenger 10 explodes 73 seconds after launchMicrosoft has its initial public offeringNuclear power station at Chernobyl USSR explodes

Gleanings from the Past(New Castle News)

1-10-1912 pg. 7 DYNAMITE ~About five carloads of dynamite are being shipped from the Seventh ward this week. The explosive is being hauled from the plant near Covert’s Station and loaded here. The wagons conveying the dynamite attract considerable interest, when being taken through the ward.

3-4-1916-PG 11 ~Mrs. John Kyle and children Mary Alice and Chester visited Mr. & Mrs. Jas. Dixon a few days last week. Mr. & Mrs. R. A. White, Ruth & Harry White, Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Douglas, Sylvia, Laura and Earl Douglas and W.A. Douglas enjoyed a sauerkraut and wiener supper at the Douglas home Saturday evening

July 6, 1904LOST- A black pocketbook Saturday between Coverts Station and new Castle via Covert Station road, containing $2.00 in money and papers bearing owners name, only valuable to owner. Finder please leave at this office

7-13-1904- NEWS ADVERTISING RECOVERS A LOST POCKETBOOKThe efficacy of the News as an advertising medium was again very forcibly shown Thurs when Mrs. E.J. Benson, of Covert Station, brought the pocketbook to this office, which had been lost by John Craig, of North Beaver Twp. The latter lost the pocketbook while driving to this city and used the News columns, as he wished to recover it. The wallet is now at the office, awaiting Mr. Craig’s appearance. Thus, it is seen that The News is not only a great advertising medium in this city, but also throughout the county as well

Sports occupy much of our attention and time today. Many activities we call sports were necessary to life in Bible times. Match the person with an activity.

1. Sampson a. Runner, 2 Samuel 18:192. Paul b. Hunter, Genesis 10:93. Ishmael c. Fighter, 1 Samuel 29:54. David d. Archer Genesis 17:10; 21:225. Ahimaaz e. Weight lifter, Judges 16:296. Benhadad f. Dart thrower, 2 Samuel 18:147. Jehu g. Swimmer, Acts 27:43-448. Nimrod h. Horseman, 1 Kings 20:209. Joab i. Racer, 2 Kings 9:20

Church bulletin Bloopers Our next song is "Angels We Have Heard Get High". Don't let worry kill you -- let the church help. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community. Weight Watchers will meet a 7 p.m. at the 1st Presbyterian Church. Please use large

double door at the side entrance. This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church.

Children will be baptized at both ends. This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the

altar. Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All

those wishing to do something on the carpet should come forward and do so. Thursday night--Potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow. Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members

and to the deterioration of some older ones. The Rev. Adams spoke briefly, much to the delight of his audience.