new bethel church...jan 09, 2010 · new bethel youth news sunday school news sunday school...

New Bethel ChurchJanuary/February 2011

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New Bethel ChurchJanuary/February 2011 Newsletter

Pastor’s Ponderings

Garages, attics, sheds, barns and basements are full of stuff we don't use anymore. Maybe it's an old 8 track player, a Sony Walkman for cassettes, or even a CD player if we've went to the all digital IPod.

Clothes that once were really in style, are now outdated or too small. Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch Dolls and Pokemon Cards have lost value and appeal. The old color TV, in the really big and heavy wooden box- with tubes. Phones with a dial. A variety of well used furniture....

A lot of things that once were useful, precious, popular, valuable, state of the art and even necessary are now well...they've been replaced. What they’ve been replaced with will someday be outdated as well. What once was indispensable has been dispensed. This happens in the church as well.

The votes are in with 72 ballots counted. For option 1, stay the same, 8 votes. For option 2, Federation, 57 votes. For option 3, choose either UCC or ELCA and disband the other congregation, 7 votes. Only eight people voted to keep shared ministry at New Bethel. Sixty four wanted something else.

Seems that many people are saying that Shared Ministry, our current structure, that once was useful, precious, valuable and necessary has now become outdated. There is a belief that shared ministry was a step that has been taken- a necessary one- but that New Bethel needs to take another step.

Continued…

A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A small child replied: "They couldn't get a baby sitter."


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Pastor’s Ponderings, Ctd.

New Bethel members feel a unity that has grown in these past 17 years or so-shared ministry made that possible. But now more and more are saying, if we are in this together, doing ministry together- why do we need two congregations- a council, a consistory and Joint Board, three treasurers, two financial secretaries, two membership lists, separate offering and asset management. Let's just be one. In some many other ways we are- so the places that we aren't feel outdated and uneasy and a distraction to ministry.

If the Joint Board decides to proceed to a vote on Federation you will have ample opportunity to become informed about Federation. There are several steps to be taken. This will only happen if you want it. The Pastor can't push it, the Joint Board can't either. But right now it seems like you do.

Unity is pleasing to God. Jesus mentions that his goal for believers is that they be one. Whenever a division or separation feels wrong in the church, it is good that it is mended or healed. After all who is it that we all follow?

Pastor Dave

250th AnniversaryIn April 1761, the New Bethel Church Charter was signed and New Bethel Church was born. This is New Bethel's 250th anniversary year. Events in the Spring and Fall will be planned to commemorate this important anniversary.

Pot Pie SupperWill be held on Saturday April 16th. Proceeds this year will benefit Habitat for Humanity. This is a cooperative fundraiser with Friedens Stony Run and Red Church. Details will follow.


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God’s Gift of Family Renewal on February 13th

Whether it's your family of marriage, the family you were born into or your church family, God blesses us through the gift of the families we love, share and serve him with.

We will celebrate and reaffirm families with our annual Litany of Family Renewal. Also we'll receive new members that Sunday, the closest to Valentine's Day.

Family Game NightCome on out beginning at 5:00PM, with a Covered Dish, on Sunday February 20. Games and contests and family fun!!!

Come on out for games, quizzes and other fun surprises. Also please bring along three inexpensive wrapped presents for our "card/gift" game.

NBC Bus Trip UpdateThe Gettysburg trip on Saturday, June 25, will begin with the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitors Center featuring the famous Cyclorama and the film, A New Birth of Freedom. We will dine at General Picketts Buffet which has a battle theater and gift shop. We will also take a guided tour of the battlefield on our own Bieber bus, followed by a visit to the home of the only civilian casualty of the Civil War, Jennie Wade. Other details, such as a quick stop at BoydsBear Country, if time allows, are currently being explored. Watch for the sign up sheet in late February. The adult cost for the trip will be under $48. Those interested in this trip are strongly encouraged to help with, and/or patronize Mayfest activities which will provide some funds for the trip. Mayfest is a fundraising event that will provide money for the Crosswalks Wildwood Retreat, church members in need, the general church savings account, and the annual bus trip.


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Upcoming DatesJanuary 18th

Committee Night 7:00PM

January 19, 26, February 9, 16 and 23 DVD Bible Study (No study on Feb. 2) 7:00PM

January 28-29th

Crosswalk overnight retreat, beginning 5:00PM

February 1st

Consistory 7:00PM

February 6th

Souper Bowl, after worship

February 6th

ULTRAS Ice Skating, 1:00PM

February 7th

Joint Board 7:00PM

February 15th

Committee Night

February 20th

Family Game Night

HAPPENINGS

Short NotesWe now have available assisted listening devices for those who are hard of hearing. If you could benefit from one, they can be found in the basket on the front balcony pew.

If you're not taking your bulletin home, please recycle it in the basket in the narthex.

The amplifier that "pipes" down the sound from the Sanctuary to the downstairs "chairs area" is broken and because of it's age, can not be economically repaired. If anyone has an amplifier to donate, see Pastor Dave. A stereo system that is unwanted would also fit the bill.

Thanks to all who participated in our first annual Live Nativity, to the David Rice family for the Caroling Hayride, to the Christmas Eve band and all who shared their talents during the prelude.


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New Bethel Social Networkshttp://newbethelchurchkempton.wordpress.com/

Collecting Email AddressesIn an effort to perhaps cut costs by sending out items electronically, instead of by US mail, the Joint Board is asking for your email address. Please send the address to [email protected]. We will put together an e-mailing list of those who wish to be sent information electronically. Please put on the subject line "collecting."

Webmaster and Newsletter Editor

Have news to share? Send it to Sara Walter. You can contact her at: [email protected] or 484-788-5781.

If you are in the hospital…Privacy rules are in place in our area hospitals and it is important that these are known if you want Pastor Dave to visit you while you are in the hospital.

Lehigh Valley Medical Center: When you are admitted make sure to fill out a form divulging your church membership. The following codes will make the process easier: UCC Congregation 457 and Lutheran Congregation 274. If your name is identified with one of those code numbers when the Pastor calls, the pastoral care office will tell him you are in the hospital. These forms must be filled out every time you are admitted. Your congregational identification does not carry over from previous hospital stays. Also, please have a family member or friend call the church office or Pastor's home when you are admitted, 610-756-6589 or 610-944-5819. No one from the hospital will call the church indicating that you are a patient.

Reading Hospital: A volunteer will call the church office if you identify yourself as a member of New Bethel Church. Hospital codes are UCC Congregation 799 and Lutheran Congregation 495. At times this process takes a while. It is best if you or a family member call 610-756-6589 or 610-944-5819.


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Crosswalk and ULTRAS NewsULTRAS Skating at Body Zone, $10. Meet at the Church, Sunday February 6 at 1:00PM.

(We'll be back for the Super Bowl)

Crosswalk will the gathering for a lock in on Friday to Saturday January 28 to 29. The title

of the lock in is "I Know Just Now You Feel." Activities will include ice skating at The Body Zone, a bonfire, a DVD Study, and a Saturday Morning Service Project. See Pastor Dave or Roger Jeffery if interested or for more details.

New Bethel Youth News

Sunday School News Sunday School planning meetings will be held the first Wednesday of every

month at 7:00. Anyone is welcome to attend and share their ideas. Children's choir will be singing the second Sunday of each month. Family Game Night will be held February 13, contact Leanne Zettlemoyer (sp?) for

details. We are looking for help with the Annual Easter Egg Hunt! We need egg hiders

and callers. MayFest will be held May 7. Garden Sale is also May 7, we need helpers! And of course, this summer we will be hosting Vacation Bible School and Kids

Night Out. Volunteers are always needed for both

Sunday School Cash BalanceBalance 12/31/09 $208.30

Receipts $3,921.29Disbursements (-$2,977.48)Balance 12/31/10 $1,152.11

Women of New Bethel Food Collection

The congregation is asked to donate

cans of Soup from the middle of January to the Middle of February. Donations will be given to the Friend Inc. Food Pantry.


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MayfestThis coming May a Mother's day weekend festival is in the works. We're looking for youth and adult leaders to help us with food, games, entertainment and a whole lot more. If interested please see Linda Schroeder. More volunteers are needed to make this a fun filled success! Special Mother's Day activities are planned, maybe even a horse drawn carriage ride for Mom! Also planned are a Chinese Auction, Carnival Style games and local venders. Entertainment will include the Kutztown Middle School Jazz band and the Jeffery family. So please mark your calendars for Saturday afternoon May 7th from 2 to 8 PM for our first annual Mayfest

On the morning of Mayfest we will have our annual plant and garden sale with flowering and vegetable plants and accessories.

It will be a great and busy day at New Bethel.

New Preschool Language Classes

New Bethel has offered space to our community for two special pre-school classes. On Friday morning Spanish is taught and Wednesday morning Pennsylvania Dutch. If you have a child that you'd like to enroll in one of these classes, or if you want more information, stop by during or before class time and speak to a teacher. Things get going at about 9:30AM. Also the Pennsylvania Dutch teacher is looking for native Dutch speakers to assist in her class. If you'd like to help our youngest generation to discover our rich local language and culture, see Pastor Dave or Tina Gammons.


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New Years Resolutions of the Confirmation Class

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah ‘s Ark

• Don’t miss the boat.• Remember that we are all in the same boat.• Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.• Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something

really big.• Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.• Build your future on high ground.• For safety sake, travel in pairs.• Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.• When you’re stressed, float a while.• Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.• No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.


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Bible Study/DiscussionThose who enjoyed the Summer Book Club selection "What's So Amazing About Grace" will want to be a part of our next Bible Study/DVD discussion, "The Jesus I Never Knew" by the same author Philip Yancey.

Discover for yourself why no one who meets him ever stays the same.

We'll be meeting in PJ Place/Schoolhouse beginning on Wednesday January 19 so we can see the video on the big screen installed in PJ Place. The Study begins at 7:00PM. This will be a great interactive study for those who haven't been involved in a Bible Study before or recently.

Souper Bowl SundayOn Sunday February 6th, 140 million Americans will tune in to the Super Bowl football game. There will be parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same time, there will be people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and a warm meal. Please join young people around the country as they demonstrate God's love by loving their neighbors through the Souper Bowl of Caring. Ifs a simple, yet significant act of caring for others. Drop $1 (or more) in the soup pot as you leave worship on February 6th. We will also be collecting cans of soup to be donated along with funds collected to Friend, Inc. Those who need help may not know that you cared, but God will. And our young people are developing hearts for giving that can last a lifetime. Please support their efforts.

You can also vote on who you think will win the "Super Bowl." Two youth, wearing team colors, will be holding Soup Bowls for your Souper Bowl donation. Just put your money in the bowl of the winning team!!!


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New Youth and Community OpportunitiesSee Barb Dieter if interested.

Homework HelpNew Bethel Church is starting a “Homework Help” tutoring service. Students can call New Bethel Church and leave a message containing their name, telephone number, subject they need help with, current grade, and a time and date that is good for them. The student will be called as soon as a “tutor” is matched with them. Confidentiality will be respected as there are several rooms that may be used for privacy if needed. There will be two “tutors” on the church grounds at all time. The help sessions will be held at New Bethel Church or at PJ Place across from the church.

Want to be in a band?Do you Like Christian music? Do you play an instrument? Then New Bethel church wants You! New Bethel church is creating a bank where teens and kids “at heart” can play their instruments and create a celebration of God’s love, grace, and understanding. Friday nights will be a musical marvel at New Bethel church! You can rock from 6pm to 8pm at PJ Place. You do not have to be a member of New Bethel church to join or “hang-out”. If Friday doesn't work we'll find another night.Come have some fun, play some music, and enjoy the benefits God sets before us!

Bridging the GenerationsBridging Seniors and youngsters- growing across the generations. We will all get to know our congregation better while helping our youngster's writing and public speaking skills. We will match any senior a with an ULTRAS student. The ULTRAS student will interview the “senior” and get to know them over a several month period and then present the life story of their new friend during worship. Both the ULTRAS student and the senior will make a new friend, learn about a different generation and receive a small gift from the congregation.



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PJ Place Update

The renovations to the schoolhouse to convert it to our new youth and community center PJ place are almost complete. We thank all who helped and especially Dan Walter who oversaw the project and did much of the work. The following is a list of items that are still needed that we hope to collect through donations. Please note that in the case of furniture, for instance, if we receive an over-abundance, some of the items will be donated to Goodwill or another appropriate charity. Please see Dan Walter about times to drop off larger donations. Small sized donations can be dropped off on the PJ Place or church porch.

Books/CDs/DVDs/VHS tapes - rated G to PG-13Light-blocking curtains for the windows

Our Wish list:

A Wii gaming system

Thanks in advance!!

Worship Service Cancellation InformationIf Sunday Worship is canceled due to bad weather, announcements will be broadcast on radio station WAEB- AM 790 and television station 69. Information will be posted on their websites as well. Please note that WEEU has suspended the reading of church closing on their broadcasts and WAEB does not guarantee that the closing will be read on the air. You're best bet is channel 69 (WFMZ). Y102 FM may also read the church cancellations sent to channel 69.



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New Bethel Union ChurchJoint Board Meeting Minutes

December 6, 20107:00 PM New Bethel Church - Social Room

Attendance:UCC Pastor Blitch LutheranJanet Albright Wayne LongBetsy Nehf Delano SchuckerLloyd Lutz Jeffrey SchuckerTim Kleinsmith

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM. Pastor Blitch opened with a prayer.The minutes were read and approved.

Treasurer's Report: Reference written report T Kleinsmith/B Nehf

Pastor's Report: Pastor Blitch reported on the straw poll taken after the congregational meeting. It appears that the majority would like to convert to a federated church.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10PM.

Respectfully submitted by Delano R. Schucker

There is the story of a preacher who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets.“


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Worship AssistantsJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011

January 2, 2011 Holy Communion (Altar)Greeters Jon & Kelly BondAcolyte Jenna BerryLector Marge HammUshers Marilyn Lutz - Don Meyers

Betsey Nehf- Sarah O'Neill Communion Assistant Helen Weaver

January 9, 2O11Greeters Marian Bond & Marie LutzAcolyte Leah DietrichLector Woodrow KampUshers Delano Schucker - JeffSchuckerJoanne Waidelich—Sandra Wessner

January 16 2O11Greeters Lisa Dietrich — Cheryl FaustAcolyte DJ DieterLector Slate KleinsmithUshers Janet Albright - Richard Albright

Jon Bond - Richard Bond

January 23, 2011Greeters Rick & Linda FoulkeAcolyte Christian GraffLector Marie LutzUshers Shelby Brett - Lisa Dietrich

Linda Foulke - Rick Foulke

January 30, 2011Greeters Irwin & Marge HammAcolyte Kayla GrafFLector Marilyn LutzUshers Willis Henry - Dustin HofFmanWoodrow Kamp - Tim Kleinsmith

new bethel church...jan 09, 2010 · new bethel youth news sunday school news sunday school...

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