April 2012

Rejoice, Again I Say Rejoice!

Paul tells us in Philippians 4 to rejoice! Easter gives us all the reason we need

to rejoice! Rejoice every single day for every day is a day that the Lord has made

for us to experience His grace and mercy new, every morning. And we have so

much to rejoice over. Most of all, that Christ has given His life and risen to new

life so that we can have new life, both here on earth and in heaven.

What have you rejoiced over lately? I have rejoiced over our children at

Bethlehem waving palm branches and hunting Easter eggs. I have rejoiced, and

grieved, over the life of faithful servants, Clarence Starnes and Donald Tyson, who

have left a legacy for their church and their families and now have joined the church

triumphant. I have rejoiced over the renewal of the Spirit in our lives and the

rededication of some of you to live your life for Him. I have rejoiced over the

commitments and acceptance of God’s saving grace by some of you for the first

time in your life. I have rejoiced over the baptisms of DJ Owen and Hudson

Garrison. I have rejoiced over seven young people who are learning how to live

their lives for Christ during confirmation. I have rejoiced over the newness of life

in the earth and the birth of animals during the spring. I have rejoiced that my

youngest daughter was accepted into the art department at UNCC. I have rejoiced

that my oldest daughter embraces social justice issues at UNC-Chapel Hill. I have

rejoiced that each day, I am able to bend over and tie my shoes and try to exercise.

I have rejoiced that I have food to eat and a bed to sleep in. I could go on and on

about the blessings that make me rejoice.

What is it that you have rejoiced in? In this passage, Paul urges us to press on

towards the goal of the call of Christ on our lives. To do so means we have to focus

on the goodness of life and its blessings. We are called to rejoice. Sometimes it is

easy to focus on the negative things in life and take the blessings for granted.

Because of Easter morning, we have so much good and the bad has no victory over

us.

So rejoice, again I say rejoice! Praise God today for everything in your life! I

praise God for each one of you.

Peace,

Pastor Lynda

Sunday: April 1, Palm Sunday

Bethlehem children March of the Palms

Easter Stations Celebration Sunday: 3 – 5 pm:

Children 2 years – 5th grade

Time of Easter Celebration to learn about

Jesus’ last week on earth with 4 stations, and an Easter Egg Hunt.

Thursday: April 5, Maundy Thursday Service 7 pm

Holy Communion and Special Presentation

Friday: April 6: Tenebrae Service 8 pm

Candlelight Reading of the Passion Narrative

(No Good Friday service or Lunch)

Sunday: April 8, Easter Celebration

Sunrise Service at Outdoor Chapel at 7 am

Easter Breakfast sponsored by UMM 7:30 am

Easter Worship Services

8:30 am and 11:00 am

The Bethlehem Mission Committee is progressing with the Back Pack Ministry for Elementary and Middle school students in the local area. Each Friday a child who might not otherwise receive food over the weekend will go home with a backpack filled with food to eat. Sign up now at the church to bring one

or more of the items below WEEKLY for the back packs. You may bring enough to cover a month at one time.

If your circle, organization or family would like to help fill on Wednesday evenings at 6 pm or if you have questions, please contact Kristi Tyson or Kim Helms. Thank you for helping!

FOOD PANTRY: Bethlehem now has a Food Pantry to help folk who need food in our church or community. Please remember to pick up some extra food for the pantry and for Loaves and Fishes in

Union County which we still support. If you know of families in need, please share this information with

Backpack Food Items Individual Spaghettios Vienna Sausage Instant Oatmeal Packets Peanut Butter Crackers Instant Grits Packets Individual Cookies Individual Applesauce Cereal Bars PopTarts Individual Beanie Weenies Individual Mac and Cheese Juice Boxes/Pouches

Mission Committee

BRANCHING OUT SUNDAY EVENINGS

5:00 – 7:00 PM FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS

FEBRUARY 12, 2012 – APRIL 29, 2012

DINNER at 5 pm

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

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

Youth: Middle School and High School Adult Groups:

24 Hours That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton Led by Lynda Ferguson

Led by Lynda Ferguson Cost of book: $12.00

Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food

Book By: Lysa Terkeurst Led by Donna Helms

Cost $10.00 SIGN UP AT CHURCH OR ONLINE

MARRIAGE CLASS: Making Love Last a Lifetime by Adam Hamilton

and taught by Kevin & Tammy Belk & Tim & Kim Walkup will be held at 10 am on Sunday Mornings instead of during Branching Out.

Book Cost: $7.00

BRANCHING OUT

Kid’s Memory Verse Challenge!! All children in elementary school are encouraged to participate in our new memory verse challenge! This is a program that you can do at home on your on! Each week there will be a new memory verse challenge in the bulletin for you to memorize. You can recite them to Laura at anytime. Laura will keep up with who is memorizing what on the bulletin board in the hall! At

the end of this school year we will have a party for everyone who participated and recognize the kids who memorized the most! Remember, that we need to put God’s word in our hearts not just our minds! Verses for April: (Entire verse for ages 3rd -5th grade: Underlined portion for ages P – 2nd grade) April 1: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Heb. 13: 8 April 8: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Ps. 150:6 April 15: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not learn on your own understanding.” Prov. 3:5 April 22: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Rom. 10:13 April 29: “All people have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3: 23 Easter Station Celebration!! We are bringing back something from years ago with Easter Stations! This is going to be an exciting time for our children 2 years – 5

th grade!

On Sunday, April 1st at 3pm all children are asked to be in the sanctuary for the start of our Easter Station Celebration! While we are there together, we will learn the story of Jesus’ last week here on earth. We will start with Palm Sunday and go through Easter Sunday! Our confirmands will be helping with this with a great skit to get the children excited! After that we will break up into four groups according to ages. Each group will go to four different stations. One station will be an egg hunt, with the other stations being a special part of the Easter story. Each station will be different and will engage the children in what it was like for Jesus and his closest friends during that last special week together! Be sure not to miss it! It will start at 3pm and end at 5pm. Dinner will be from 5-5:30 for anyone who would like to stay! Regular Shinning Stars and Club 54 will NOT be happening that night.

CHILDREN NEWS

This year our Vacation Bible School is “Sky! Everything is possible with God!” Our VBS week is June 10-14, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. We need adult volunteers to help with this great week! Please let Laura know if you are able to help in any of the following areas; guide, station leaders (crafts, snacks, story time, recreation, music), registration,

decoration, promotion, or another area! This will be a great week of fun and learning about God!

Dates for this summer!

Vacation Bible School June 10-14

Pleasant Grove Day Camp June 25-28

Passport Kids Camp July 15-18

Pleasant Grove Day Camp is coming!

This year day camp is June 25-28, 9am-1:30pm, at Pleasant Grove Campground. All children who have completed kindergarten through 5

th

grade are invited! The cost is $35 per person. Children of adults who volunteer for the week, get to attend for free! Registration is now open at www.pleasantgrovedaycamp.org Please make checks to Mineral Springs UMC. You can either turn them in to Laura or mail them to Marilyn Wooten at Mineral Springs UMC. If you are interested in volunteering during this week please

STOCK SALE – A large group of high school students & chaperones will be going to the Bahamas this summer for mission work. The Youth Group will be offering shares of stock in the trip to all church members to support this venture. Shares available for $25, $50, $100, and $250.

Dividends include group photos, t-shirts, and attendance at a special dinner (after the trip). Please prayerfully consider how many shares of stock you can buy to help send the youth on this life-changing trip. YOUTH CALENDAR –

� April 1: Youth Meetings 5 – 7 pm � April 8: Easter, No Youth � April 15: No Youth, Middle School at Kaleidoscope � April 22: Youth Meetings 5 – 7 pm � April 29: Youth Meetings 5 – 7 pm

BIBLE STUDIES: High School Girls: Thurs. Nights at 6 pm at the Blackmon’s home. Led by Ashley Blackmon, Wendy Kiser & Terry Eubank High School Boys: Thurs. Nights at 7 pm at Alan Tyson’s home: Led by Alan Tyson and Nathan Blackmon. Begins April 19 Middle School Boys and Girls Studies: Details to come KALEIDOSCOPE: Pray for our middle school youth as they attend Kaleidoscope the weekend of April 13 – 15. Twenty –two students and 8 counselors will spend the weekend at Camp Tekoa worshipping, studying, fellowshipping and growing closer to God.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Support the youth Mission Trip by attending a Pancake Breakfast on April 29 between the worship services. Madison Jones will be speaking about her trip to Haiti.

YOUTH NEWS

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR 2012-2013 IS NOW IN PROGRESS. CONTACT ASHLEY FOR A REGISTRATION FORM FOR YOUR CHILD. CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN AGES 2 – 5 YEARS.

Hello Everyone! We are so excited that Spring has finally Sprung! All of us at preschool have been having so much fun making fun spring crafts and getting ready to start learning about Easter! We are looking forward to learning about what Jesus did for all of us and talking about it in our classes and in chapel. We are also so excited to have Easter parties and Easter Egg Hunts! One great mission that our preschoolers do every year is to fill Easter Baskets for less fortunate children. We want to help every child receive an Easter Basket this year. We use this mission as a counting exercise and fill up baskets and pack them up to take to the Union County DSS program. We have so much fun and we love to learn about being like Jesus! Our scholarship fund is starting to run low and we want to start boosting it up for next year. Could you consider helping out this month? We encourage everyone to consider any size donation to the scholarship fund! We don't want any child to be turned away from learning about God's love. Please consider giving to this important mission! Love, Ashley

BETHLEHEM PRESCHOOL NEWS

THE BEST YEARS GROUP will go to Calvary Church, Charlotte, NC on Thursday, April 26 (not date change) for an organ concert and lunch. They will leave the church at 10:15 am. Cost is $6.50 per person. Please make reservations with Carolyn Starnes (704)843-2843) by April 15th if you plan to go.

BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS

Sunday, April 8, 2012 A nurse will be in the church library from 9:30 – 10 AM

(PLEASE NOTE SCREENINGS WILL BE ON SECOND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH)

DANCE CARDIO AT BETHLEHEM

Monday Nights: 6:30 pm Cost: $3 Family Life Center

AIM will participating in the Earth Day 5K in Downtown Monroe on April 14th @ 8am. Please come support the AIM Members. The cost to participate is $15. If you are interested please see Beverly Liles. Relay for Life is Friday, May 4th 7pm @ Sun Valley High School Track. AIM will be forming a team to participate. There will be a Cancer Survivor lap, entertainment, food, fun, and a candle light service after dark. If you would like to participate, donate funds to the American Cancer Society, purchase a Luminary in honor of a cancer survivor, or in memory of someone that had cancer please see Beverly Liles. You can also donate online at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=40607&pg=teamlist.

BEST YEARS GROUP

. CIRCLES: Helping Hands: Monday, April 9 @ 7 pm Witness and Service Morning: April 10 @ 10 am Willing Workers: April 10 @ 4 pm Busy Bees: April 12 @ 7 pm at the church New Beginning: April 18 @ 7 pm

Church Responsibilities for April: Helping Hands

The UMM will meet April 1 for their monthly breakfast meeting at 7:15 am. All men are invited to attend.

SEW AND SOWS our Bethlehem Sewing Group meets twice a month on Tuesday morning to sew for others. They have made dresses for children in Africa, pants and skirts for children in Nicaragua, quilts for the homeless, and currently are making blankets for children in crisis situations. They have fun, and work with their hands for the Kingdom of God. If you know how to sew and would like to “sows seeds of love”, come out and join them. If you do not know how to sew, come anyway, there will be something you can do and you will learn a great skill. Contact Grace Goldy (704-764-5958)

for more information.

April Sew and Sows Times: April 3 and April 17 at 9:30 am

UMW

UMM

Remember to bring in Box

Tops for Education!

SEW AND SOWS

Nursery Volunteers: 8:30 am: 4/1: Randi Landy 4/8: Anna and Nat Hunter 4/15: Brandy Helms and Haley Britton 4/22: Patrick and Kacie Faulkenberry 4/29: Meg and Mattie Harkins 11:00 am: 4/1: Leslie Kiser 4/8: Michelle Owen 4/15: Carey Mosley 4/22: Brooke Griffin 4/29: Dana Broome USHERS FOR APRIL: Steve Wilson, Taylor Starnes, Steven Brantley, Gene Brantley, Jr. GREETERS FOR APRIL: Dianne Moser, Fonda Hardison ACOLYTES FOR April: 1: Jillian Strickland 15: Carson Starnes 8: McKenna Griffin 22. Brittany Plyler 25: Jillian Strickland

“the orchard” May 2012 INFORMATION DUE ON OR BEFORE: April 15 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. 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

APRIL CHURCH VOLUNTEERS

Building Fund: In Honor Of: Birthdays of: Angie Starnes, Billie Thomas, Doug Richardson, Tommie Thompson, Carolyn Starnes and Marion Cox By: Betty and O’Neil Starnes Les Parr Bo & Gloria Rodden’s Anniversary

Karen Totaro, Alyssa Edwards & Granddaughter By: Betty and O’Neil Starnes

Larry Liles (Birthday) & Patty Liles By: Genny Courtney Dale Walkup’s Birthday By: Genny Courtney Dale Walkup’s Birthday By: Dean Cox Betty & O’Neil Starnes’ Anniversary By: Genny Courtney Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Brantley By: Gene, Jr. & Laurie

Building Fund: In Memory Of: Clarence Starnes By:

Mary Anne & Eugene Starnes, Arlin & Irene Mosley, Genny Courtney Helen Funderburk, Mary Willi and John O’Donahue, Jr.

By: Arlin and Irene Mosley

Sound System: In Memory Of: John O’Donahue By: Linda and Tom Ducombs

Clarence Starnes By: Charles Wesley S.S. Class Dale Walkup Best Years Group Stan and Joyce Pope

Sound System: In Honor Of: Brady Laney By: Charles Wesley S.S. Class Betty & O’Neil Starnes Anniversary By: John & Betty Couick

Back Pack Ministry: In Memory Of: JoEllen Tarlton By: Kathy Starnes

Preschool Scholarship Fund: In Memory Of: Louise Ansley By: Mary and Mike Mosley

Chancel Choir Fund: In Honor Of: Mary Alice Wilson’s Birthday By:

Genny Courtney Billy & Trina Tyson

MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS

GO – YE Club: In Memory of:

Clarence Starnes By: Margaret & Roger Hill Mike and Terry Eubank Rick and Sherri Simpson Ray and Azalee Long Miriam W. Marks Tommy and Kathy Wilson The Alvin Bradley Starnes, Jr. Family (Jo, Brad & Anne) Jackie Maye Johnnie & Jack Everhardt Jessie F. Sims Kenneth & Margie Baker Phala V. Jones Kathy & Rick Starnes Sandra & Steve Malkin Mary and Mike Mosley JoNell & Bob McCain Sharon & David Reid Lauraine M. Wallace Doris McWhorter Brenda McWhorter Gloria & Bo Rodden Doug & Terry Richardson Jane McWhorter Bill & Barbara Strickland Mary Alice Wilson Debbie & Joe O’Connor Tommy and Jane Starnes Larry and Dianne Haynes Tom & Trisha Henry Larry & Patty Liles Tim & Kim Walkup Brady & Phyllis Laney Dianne & Wayne Moser John & Betty Couick Robin Helton Doris & Claude Broome Edith Rorie Neal & Patrice Pickett Ella Mae & Ardell Stewart Billy & Trina Tyson Stephen F. Lapham Carolyn Johnson Pat & Robbie Whittle Mr. & Mrs. Ken Cox Thomas H. Starnes Liz Derby Beth & Don Long Mr. & Mrs. Bill Sigmon

Helen Funderburk By: Margaret & Roger Hill Mike & Terry Eubank Mary & Mike Mosley

Louise Ansley By: Margaret & Roger Hill Mike & Terry Eubank John O’Donahue By: Mike & Terry Eubank Mary Willi By: Mary and Mike Mosley Doris Robinson By: Mary and Mike Mosley

A very special thanks to Larry Liles for building and donating a crate for United Methodist Women’s reading books. Thanks, Larry! I would like to thank all the women of the church for the wonderful meals that were prepared for Kenny and me. We would like to thank everyone for the cards, prayers and phone calls. Just continue to keep us in your prayers. Kenny and Deloris Starnes Dear Bethlehem Church Family, Thank you for your prayers, calls, cards and concern as I am going through my health issues. They all mean so very much to me. Love, Les Parr A big THANK YOU to the New Beginnings Circle and our Church Family for the "Love Offering" collected for our "adopted" family, 4 year old Hannah Moore's family. We also thank the United Methodist Men and the Mission Committee for their generous donations. Tom and I feel blessed that our Lord put the Moore family in our life, and we are truly blessed as well with such a generous and loving church family. Love and Blessing to each of you. Tom and Linda Ducombs Dear Bethlehem United Methodist Church, I was and am very touched by your beautiful and warm sentiment in honoring the choir members of the present and past. To present a beautiful pin and certificate of appreciation was such a thoughtful and meaningful gift. I am truly honored and thank you so very much. I miss my Bethlehem Church family. This church is and has been full of wonderful people. My love to all, Walleen Norwood Dear Bethlehem Church Family, We wish to thank all the generous and loving friends from Bethlehem who reached out to us following the death of Clarence on February 29. The cards, phone calls, visits, food, memorial gifts and prayers were a reminder of what a wonderful church family we are blessed to be a part of and we felt very loved by you. Although we will miss Clarence very much it is comforting to know that the people of Bethlehem will continue to be here for us as we learn to live without him in the coming days. In Christian Love, Phala and Family

THANK YOU

To My Bethlehem Church Family, Thanks to everyone for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers during my recent surgery. All the cards and phone calls with words of encouragement truly helped me through this time in my life. I can truly say that prayers are answered. Also, a special thank you to Pastor Lynda for her support to me and my family.

Love, Mike Tyson

Contact Information 5300 Nesbit Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Phone: 704-764-3602 Fax: 704-764-9020 Lynda’s Mobile: 704-290-9959

www.bethlehemchurchonline.org.

Pastor: Rev. Lynda Ferguson: lynda@bethlehemchurchonline.org Director of Christian Education:Laura Gann laura@bethlehemchurchonline.org Admin. Assistant: Ella Barefoot ella@bethlehemchurchonline.org Preschool Director: Ashley Blackmon ashley@bethlehemchurchonline.org

Church Office Hours: M – Th. 9 am – 5 pm; Fri. 9 am - noon

ATTENDANCE REPORT FOR MARCH Date 8:30 am 11 am Total Worship March 4 176 92 268 March 11 129 76 205 March 18 163 88 251 March 25 165 104 269

FINANCE REPORT THROUGH THE WEEK OF MARCH 18, 2012 NEEDED EACH WEEK: $7,072 AVERAGE RECEIVED PAST 12 WEEKS $7,099 BUDGET NEEDED PAST 12 WEEKS $84,864 BUDGET RECEIVED PAST 12 WEEKS $85,194 AHEAD/BEHIND BUDGET PAST 12 WEEKS $330

2. Ricky Starnes 3. Cathy Griffin 4. Arlin Mosley Krystin Taylor Wilson Harris M/M Rick Starnes 5. Lucas Parot Larry Laton Donna Thompson 6. Bill Strickland 7. Michelle Owen 11. M/M Eugene Starnes 14. M/M Ed Moss 16. Emry Tsitouris Julie Bunch 17. M/M Scottie Baker 18. Barry Griffin M/M Bill Couick M/M Roger Hill M/M Fred Parot 19. Courtney Liles Tanner Tyson 20. M/M Roy S. Helms 21. M/M Steve Griffin M/M Scott McWhorter 22. Tim Walkup 23. Steve Malkin

24. Eric Owen M/M Jonathan Couick M/M Paul Shiflett 25. Seth Bunch Iris Moser 26. Tammy Belk 28. Annalise Taylor 30. Charles Smith Matthew Payne Scott Ryback A Men’s Softball League will begin April 16 at the Bethlehem Ball Field.

MEN’S SOFTBALL

LEAGUE

Our Special Members at

Bethlehem

Ira Lee Starnes (DOB 9-13) Autumn Care Nursing Home 311 W. Phifer St. Marshville, NC 28103 Mildred Cox (DOB 12/11) 7414 Olive Branch Rd. Marshville, NC 28103 704-385-5015 Creola Starnes (DOB 5/13) 6417 Lancaster Hwy Waxhaw, NC 28173 Allen Moser (DOB: 9/25) 5605 Lancaster Hwy Monroe, NC 28112 Helen Robinson (DOB 6/29) Rehabilitation & Nursing Center 1212 E. Sunset Dr Monroe, NC 28112 Helen Faires (DOB: 9/27) 1118 Crestbrook Dr. Charlotte NC 28221 Betty (Kenneth) Starnes (DOB:3/20) White Oaks of Waxhaw 700 Howie Mine Rd. Waxhaw 28173

Johnny Starnes (DOB: 3/1) Rehabilitation & Nursing Center of Monroe E. Sunset Dr. Room 305-A Monroe 28112 Bob & Tommie Thompson (DOB: Bob 8/16; Tommie 3/21) 10704 Lancaster Hwy Waxhaw 28173 Virginia Stikeleather (DOB: 12/28) Sardis Oaks Nursing Home 5151 Sardis Rd. Room 410-2 Charlotte NC 28270

.