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The Open Door
| Bethel Presbyterian Church ~ a community of faith, fellowship, study and service ... Seeking God's peace, justice and love ~ |
VOL. 35 NO. 7 – July, 2007
Marc Sherrod, Minister
Pat Harvey, Stated Supply Pastor
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E-Mail & On-Line Newsletter
A number of the members have responded regarding saving postage and mailing by reading the newsletter online. If you wish to add your name to that list, call (865-376-6340) or e-mail the church office.
We also maintain a master list of e-mail addresses. Please include yours if you wish.
ALINE TERRY TRANSPORTATION FUND
This service is free for friends and members of Bethel. If you have a transportation need, please call the church office at 376-6340. Please be ready to tell us the date and time of your appointment and what time you want to be picked up. Some of the places we transport to are: doctor’s office, hairdresser, library, post office, grocery store, and shopping. We drive as far as Knoxville. We are open to other suggestions, also.
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Dear Bethel,
The experiences children have in worship as children will eventually contribute to their response as adults. We need to help our children develop a keener sense of belonging in our family of faith. If this happens children will more likely want to maintain and increase their relationship and identity with the church and with God as they grow older. If children feel unwanted and out of place, they will not want to be in worship! Take the time to smile and give a child a special greeting – it will be a blessing for you both!
We are all called to assist in the ministry of the church. Messages and service do not only come from the pulpit – or only from adults! Children bring their whole selves to worship, their eagerness to participate, their laughter, their questions, and their imagination! We are blessed at Bethel, because children are already welcomed in a special way! But, how can you enhancing your child’s Worship experience? And how can we help new families feel their children are welcome, as well?
Encourage your child, grandchild or little friend to come forward during the Children’s Message at the 11:00am services. The person doing the Children’s Message seeks to share the message of the sermon text creatively with our children. That person tries to convey the message while being responsive to the joyful thoughts and ideas of our children. If your child is initially resistant about coming forward for the Children’s Message, walk forward with your child and sit near your child. On the third or fourth time, try asking a sibling or another child your child knows well to hold your child’s hand and walk forward with your child. You will be amazed how that makes a child feel connected in a special way!
Communion presents another great opportunity for children to actively and concretely experience the love of God. There are no rules about what age a child should start taking communion. In the Presbyterian Church (USA) we are instructed by the Book of Order (W-3.1004) that “Children bring special gifts and grow in the faith through their regular inclusion and participation in the worship of the congregation.” Concerning the Lord’s Supper: “Baptized children, who are being nurtured and instructed in significance of the invitation to the Table and the meaning of their response, are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper, recognizing that the understanding of the participation will vary according to their maturity.” (W.-4.2002).
Children learn by doing: Encourage your elementary children to participate by serving as an acolyte or usher. Arrive at the service early enough to get a seat toward the middle and in the first six rows. This can help some children feel more part of the service rather than more like a spectator who is looking from afar. Provide your young child with some coins to place in the offering plate. Explain to them where the money goes. Ask older children to make an annual pledge to the church. Teach them to put their pledge in an offering envelope with their name on it. The amount of their pledge is not as important as the act of learning to pledge.
Speak with your child about the objects and symbols that are in the sanctuary. Show your child the objects on the communion table and explain their meaning and function. If you have questions about objects and symbols in the sanctuary, ask me or one of our elders!
After church, take your child to talk with the choir members or organist. Ask if your child can gently play a note on the keyboard. Ask choir members to show your child their music. Explain to them that the music includes both musical notes and words. Ask if your child can try on the stole portion of the Pastor’s robe. Explain to them that we are the priesthood of all believers!
If you have a little musical talent, help your child learn some of the songs that are frequently sung in worship. Teach your child the Lord’s Prayer and explain what the prayer means. As children grow older – show them the different creeds and help them understand why different creeds were written!
Show your child the worship bulletin and explain how the text informs the congregation. Take your child to talk with the person operating the sound…and have them show them how it works!
After the service, talk with your child about the elements of the worship service. For example, talk with your child about the pastoral prayer and some of the people that were prayed for during the service. Ask your child to pray with you for specific persons. Talk with older children about the children’s time and sermon.
Encourage your child to actually listen to the sermon…and talk about the sermon on the way home from church – you will be amazed how much they really understand…kids are like sponges!
Help us spread the word that Sunday Worship at Bethel is for kids of all ages! If you see a parent struggling with a child, be supportive. Let them know that you are glad they brought their child and encourage them to keep bringing their child to worship in the future. In the spirit that Jesus Christ called children to come to Him, let us really welcome children into our sanctuary for worship.
And finally-When children take part in the service, we are teaching them that they are giving God the glory – and they are being taught in Sunday School that clapping or applause is not to give thanks to the person singing or playing an instrument – but all that is done in worship is to give praise and thanks to God! AMEN!
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Pat
First of all, I want to express my thanks for all the prayers and cards and flowers that I have received as a result of my result of my recent stay in the hospital. I am glad to say I am still migraine free after a week. Perhaps the Lord wanted me to better understand the pain migraine sufferers have. O.k…..I get it….. I hope I never have another migraine as long as I live!
In this article I want to talk about us “Baby Boomers”. In reading a May 5th article from the Chattanooga Times Free Press entitled: “Boomers and Their Aching Joints”, I noted that the number of adults in the United States with arthritis and related diseases are expected to rise from 46 million to 67 million by the year 2030. The related diseases include osteoarthritis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and gout. What is to blame? “Aging and obesity” says Dr Patience White, chief public health officer for the Arthritis Foundation.
Many “boomers” with arthritis are having a hard time accepting limitations on their activities. Many think. “I can’t be sick, I’ve got a job, my kids are young adults, and I’m not an old person.” So what do you do? According to Dr Susan House who is a specialist in rheumatology, there are several things. She recommends her patents keep moving as much as possible to ease their arthritis pain, ideally doing weight-bearing exercise, but also including low-impact activities such as swimming. The best way to keep joints healthy is to exercise and stay as close as possible to your ideal weight because obesity puts additional wear and tear on joints, she said.
To your health ...
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[A reminder: session meetings are always open for members to attend unless the session votes to go into executive session per Robert’s Rules of Order; the minutes of the session are available, by appointment, for review in the church office]
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... not reported this month ...
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As part of Bethel Operation Kindergarten 2007, you are encouraged to assist the families of fourteen children with an exciting yet intimidating time. These special children will begin Kindergarten this August and have been participating in the special Mid-East Head Start small-group program held weekly at Bethel. Families could use our support as they, perhaps nervously, start this new adventure and go through this BIG, sometimes scary, transition. Could you be a Bethel Operation Kindergarten sponsor?
Sponsors are asked to make a $20 purchase of two shirts, socks, and underwear for a bright-eyed, bouncy five-year-old by July 22. Names and sizes will be available at the end of the month. Sponsors are also asked to meet the family at a festive carnival lunch on Friday, July 27, 10:00 to 12:00. Finally, sponsors are asked to make additional contact as feasible with the family within one month following the start of school. Sponsors have a unique opportunity to nurture and share God’s love.
These children also need a $17 set of school supplies as outlined by the local elementary schools plus the family is asked to pay a $23 classroom fee. If this is not the right time for you to be a sponsor, donations to the school supply fund Bethel hopes to make available would be GREATLY appreciated. We hope to give each child a “Goody Bag” with the clothes and school supplies on July 27. You could make a big difference in the life of a little child and the family.
Please contact Linda Brown, Amy Coen, or Julie Bunch with any questions.
The Book Discussion group will meet on July 26 at 1:30. We will be discussing The Handmaid’s Tale.
We are adding to our Video Library Collection through wonderful gifts from:
Tom and Helen Roostee:
Jesus and His Times Video Series:
Volume I: The Story Begins
Volume II: Jesus Among the People
Volume III: Jesus the Final Days
Roger and Dennise McKinney
A Trip Into the Bible Video Series:
The Creation
Adam and Eve
Noah and the Ark
Samuel-Prophet of God
Baby Moses
Moses the Deliverer
Joseph the Dreamer
Joseph the Ruler
Wandering In the Wilderness
The Battle of Jericho
Thanks to the Roostees and McKinneys for their gifts!
The Pentecost Offering Thanks You! As a result of the generosity of Bethel’s church family, we contributed a total of $1,467.50 for 2007. This amount exceeds the last five years’ Pentecostal Offerings. Doesn’t it make us feel really great that our family is an active participant in the growth and development of young people. Remember that this special offering supports mission with children at risk, youth, and young adults.
As an element of the Pentecostal Offering program, Bethel retains 40% of the offering for use within our own community on behalf of children at risk. The remaining 60% was sent to the Presbyterian Church (USA) for the following:
- General Assembly ministries with youth and young adults 25%
- Advocacy at the denominational level on behalf of children at risk 10%
- PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer opportunities 25%
After a lot of discussion, the Stewardship & Finance Committee voted to use the Pentecostal Offering funds toward Operation Kindergarten. We will try to keep you posted on some of the wonderful things that develop in this special mission area.
Christ is definitely alive, and working in our church family.
Your friend in Christ, Billie Stooksbury
Member, Stewardship and Finance Committee
The Stewardship & Finance (S&F) committee has been very busy the last two months.
First, after approval of Session, we are opening an advisory services account with our bank in order to take advantage of bank Certificates of Deposit at a national level and to spread our assets into several institutions for FDIC coverage.
Second, we are in the process of migrating our accounting system from Quickbooks to PowerChurch software. Since we already use PowerChurch for membership and contributions there will be no new purchase cost to the congregation. However we will be upgrading to the latest version of PowerChurch and purchasing 6 months of unlimited technical support to help us through the transition.
Finally, we are maintaining a bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall where you can get the most current official financial information for operations and the building fund. Check it out!
The S&F committee meets the second Monday of the month at 6 PM. We are in need of a secretary to record the minutes of our meetings. If you would like to participate in any way, please come to our next meeting on Monday, July 9th.
Financial Report 1/1/07 to 5/31/07
| Undesignated Income* |
$91,571.35 |
| Budget Expense |
$82,543.54 |
| Year-to-Date Net |
$ 9,027.81 |
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* Undesignated Income includes undesignated giving, rental house, Mid-East Rental, and bank interest.
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Hosts for July Fellowships
Fellowship Sunday, July 8, 2007:
Nelda Toon, Carolyn McNew
Fun Luncheon, Tuesday, July 10, 2007:
Edith Miles, Madge Benfield
Fellowship Supper, Wednesday, July 18, 2007:
Not known at time of printing
Church Picnic
Our annual Church Picnic will be on Sunday, August 5 at the Hettricks, 200 Lake Street, Harriman (Swan Pond). The fun will start at 3 PM for "kids" of ALL ages. Then, around 5:30, we will have our picnic with BBQ and all the trimmings. All you have to do is bring your smiley faces, a lawn chair and your favorite beverage.
P.S. If you can bring a fingerfood dessert (cookies, brownies, etc.), please e-mail Marianne at shadden3@bellsouth.net. Thanks.
Angel Food Ministries
Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief to families. The program began in Monroe, GA in 1994 and has grown to serve people across the United States.
Angel Food Groceries are sold in units of $25. A menu is issued each month with the food items that will be in the unit. The food is of good quality—not damaged or out-dated. There is no limit to the number of units you can buy. There is no application or qualification. Anyone can buy a unit or units. Food purchased to donate to a needy person may be tax deductible as a charitable donation.
Roane County Combined Ministries now has a host site at the United Way Building in Midtown. Food sales and distribution are handled by the host site. Orders and payments are taken the first of the month and the distribution is the last Saturday of the month in our area. Beginning in July orders can be made at the United Way Building the first two weeks of the month. Due to the July 4 holiday orders will be taken at First Baptist Church in Kingston July 9-13th. The food will be distributed July 28th at the United Way Building.
Volunteers with trucks are needed to bring the food from Luminary UMC until our site can obtain 250 orders, then the site will be a delivery site for Angel Food. We will need volunteers to help unload the delivery truck. We will also need volunteers to distribute the food to the clients.
We will be working with the other churches in RCCM, so we will not need to supply the entire 30-35 volunteers needed. If you feel led to volunteer with this very worthwhile ministry, please contact Dolores Sandmel.
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2007 Presbyterian Youth Triennium
Every three years the Presbyterian Church (USA), Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America gather thousands of young people together for worship, Bible Study and recreation at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium – otherwise known as PYT. The 2007 Triennium will be held July 17 – 22 on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
The Presbyterian Youth Triennium is an event for the purpose of gathering Presbyterian and Reformed young people from all over the United States and the world together for worship, prayer, play and community. The Triennium also hosts Global Partners, youth from the Presbyterian Church in Canada, ecumenical guests and hundreds of volunteers!
Please pray for those from Bethel who will be attending: Jordan Sherrod, Eden Sherrod, and Ellen Dailey as Youth delegates: Denise Martin, Carolyn McNew and Rev. Marc Sherrod as Adult representatives!
Two of our youth, Jordan and Eden Sherrod, attended the 2007 Maryville College Summer Youth Get-A-Way at Maryville College campus. This five day retreat focused on issues of faith, leadership and vocation. Jordan and Eden sharpened their leadership skills through Bible study, worship, fun, teambuilding and outdoor activities. Our Summer Intern, Hannah Sherrod, was a part of the counseling team! Hopefully next year we will be able to send others!
Four of our elementary children have participated in day camp at John Knox Camp this summer. It was a blessing to have them be a part of this dynamic ministry right here in our own backyard! Keep the director of John Knox Camp (Rev. Leigh McCaslin, wife Marsha and sons Joshua and Zachary) in your prayers as they give of themselves in so many ways! In addition: keep the staff (including our own Chelsea Richmond) in your prayers as they serve Christ this summer!
The Youth of our church (under the leadership of Youth Director Gregg Murr) planned and worked on another great auction for Mission. Over $400.00 was given for the luncheon and over $2,100.00 donated for the auction. Thanks for a wonderful afternoon! And thanks to the church for supporting our youth in such a tangible way!
... none reported this month ...
... none reported this month ...
... nothing reported this month ...
Dear Bethel Family:
Thank you so very much for the beautiful ornament and heartfelt card. Thank you for the many encouraging words and prayers along the way.
Amber Jacks
Dear Bethel Family,
Thank you for all of your kindnesses during this recent time of my father’s passing. The food and snacks, cards, calls, offers for help were so encouraging and supportive. We are so fortunate to have been led to Bethel when searching for a family church home. We couldn’t have found a better one!
Love in Christ, Joni Morgan
Dear Bethel Family,
You have all been wonderful people throughout the years that I have been a part of Bethel Presbyterian, and I am happy to be included in the church family. I hope that I can return the kindness that has always been shown to me.
Thank you,
Frederick Morgan
The Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life
IN HEALTH CARE CENTERS
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| NAME |
FACILITY |
Ruby Hunter,
Christine Wood |
Harriman Health Care |
Muriel McKonley
(sister of Jean Young) |
Rae-Ann Nursing Home
(Geneva, Ohio) |
| Betty Baird Brown |
Alpharetta Healthcare Center |
Mac Robbins,
Anne Smith,
Louise Pickel |
Jamestowne |
| Evelyn Waldrup |
Baptist Healthcare (Lenoir City) |
Margaret True
Roberta Cash |
Rockwood Healthcare |
| Joan Pemberton |
Wellington Place – Kingston |
| Wanda Carter |
NHC in Oak Ridge |
Barbara Schilling
(wife of retired pastor Fritz Schilling) |
UT Hospital |
AT HOME
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Doris Barber, Madge Mounger, Al & Dot Davis, Tom & Helen Roostee, Marc Sherrod, Jordan Sherrod, Hugh Webb, Justin Trivette, Marci Smith, Madge Benfield, Marnie Shields, Reid Hutchison
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OUR SERVICEMEN
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Jason Brown
Geoff Winsbro
Robert Howard (son-in-law of Bill and Bobbie Martin)
Tommy Sandmel
T.R. Morgan
Kyle Foote (son-in-law of Alicia Webb)
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The members and regularly attending friends of Bethel are assigned to elder care groups. Each month in the newsletter for your prayers, we publish the list of one or more elder care groups. The elder’s name and phone at the top of the list are listed as a reminder of their role in nurturing and supporting those who belong to Bethel. You should feel free to contact your elder or the pastor if you have a particular spiritual need or other matter that needs to be brought to our attention.
(*Non-member ^Shut-in +Inactive)
KAREN SCHALL (08)
369-2955
(Jim)
Fletcher, Sara
Hart, Karen
Harvey, Jerry & *Pat
Jones, Bob & Sue
Jones, Frank & Linda
Landers, Clay & Nancy
Parkinson, Doris Ann
Preston, Mark & Linda
Preston, Ryan
+Rusher, Lisa
Rybka, Samantha
Standridge, David & *Debbie
+Woodall, Don
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JULIE BUNCH (08)
376-2983
Cantrell, Sara
Condon, Jim & *Gisela
Cutshall, Stephen & Alyson
^Davis, Al & Dot
Hale, Pat
*Hall, Betty
Hensley, Dana
Hettrick, Teresa
^+Hutchison, Reid
Smith, Marci & Tim
Strickling, Larry & Brenda
Walker, *Bryan & Laura
Wolfenbarger, Raymond & Lucy
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Ellen Evans Kellogg