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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. 3 Marc Sherrod, Minister March, 2007
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 Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to come alongside Marc and this church during this time. I count it an honor to be able to assist in any way possible.
As we begin the season of Lent – having some background will be helpful in making this time of preparation more meaningful. By the time you read this we will already have celebrated Fat Tuesday and Ask Wednesday. The day before Ash Wednesday is popularly known as Mardi gras (or "Fat Tuesday"). It has developed into a time of partying and carousing, exemplified by the extravagant celebration in New Orleans. Most people who celebrate Mardi Gras attach little or no religious significance to it. Many of us know last years Mardi Gras was different…there was not the usual fanfare…but there was hope that rang out of chaos in New Orleans. That is what Ash Wednesday is about! Hope out of chaos! A term used by those in our Presbytery who went to the Gulf Coast to help with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.
The Worship Sourcebook gives us this excellent explanation to the Lenten season of Christian Worship (pages 551-552): The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are at the heart of the Christian gospel, and Good Friday and Easter are two of the most significant celebrations of the Christian year…Good Friday…filled with pain, grief and terror. Followed by a day filled with hope and grace! Hope out of chaos!
Lent is a season of preparation and repentance during which we anticipate Good Friday and Easter. Just as we carefully prepare for big events in our personal lives, such as a wedding or graduations, Lent invites us to make our hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ passion and celebrating Jesus’ glorious resurrection.
The practice of a forty-day preparation period began in the Christian church during the third and fourth centuries. The number forty carries biblical significance based on the forty years Israel spent in the wilderness and Jesus’ forty-day fast in the wilderness. The forty days of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday and continue through holy week, not counting Sundays (which are reserved for celebratory worship). In practice, many congregations choose to focus Sunday worship on the themes of repentance and renewal.
As a period of preparation, Lent has historically included the instruction of persons for baptism and profession of faith on Easter Sunday; the calling back of those who have become estranged from the church…and from God; and efforts by all Christians to deepen their devotion, and readiness to mark the death and resurrection of their Savior.
So the primary focus of the season is to explore and deepen a “baptismal spirituality” that centers on our union with Christ rather than to function only as an extended meditation on Christ’s suffering and death.
This year during Lent our youth will begin a Confirmation Class where this intentional exploration will happen. This class will begin on Sunday morning March 4th and youth will meet until May 27th (when they can make the commitment [if they are led], to join the church.)
In addition we will have a Lenten Soup & Study beginning Sunday evening March 4th (meeting in the Fellowship Hall). We will share a simple soup supper each evening and the video series "That the World May Know" by teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan.
The Simple Soup Supper will begin at 6:00 pm and the study will begin at 6:30-7:30. “That the World Might Know” is a unique series that brings God's Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible's fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals keen insights into Scripture's significance for modern believers. Join us as we learn more of the life, times and country of Israel, and as we grow together in God’s Word!
It’s only natural in a world with an increasing number of elderly that certain disease processes prevail. In the United States, joint replacements are among the most common and successful bone surgeries that restore a better quality of life well into the “golden years”. RN magazine, in their January issue stated: “The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates there are more that 193,000 total hip replacements (THRs) and 365,000 total knee replacements (TKRs) performed every year- numbers that have more that doubled since 1990”. The main reason for joint replacement is osteoarthritis, which affects 30 million adults.
There are risks with any surgery and joint replacement is no exception. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus, peroneal nerve injury (in knee replacements), dislocation of the artificial joint, and infection are the most dangerous complications. Your medical staff in the hospital will address each of these threats. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus can be prevented by starting a medicine such as coumadin before elective surgery and continuing several weeks after. As patients are now up and ambulating the day after the joint replacement, clots are prevented. Keeping the knee bandage loose and making sure the knee is kept flexed prohibits peroneal nerve damage. Keeping the patient’s feet straight and slightly apart while they are sitting or lying down prevents dislocation of the hip joint after surgery; crossing legs or ankles is not permitted. Neither should the person sit in a low seat for up to four to 12 weeks. Infection occurs in less than 2% of joint replacement patients. Monitoring the dressing for excess drainage, fever, inflammation or persistent pain that not relieved by rest is very important and should be reported to the physician immediately. For two years after joint replacement, patients should take antibiotics before having any dental procedures to reduce the chance of infection in the joint replacement site.
I hope March finds you in good 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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... none reported for November ...
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... nothing reported this month ...
The Book Discussion group will meet on February 22 at 1:30. In the next three months, we will be discussing:
March: Raney, by Clyde Edgerton
April: The Hornets’ Nest, by Jimmy Carter
May: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Wednesday morning prayer group meets at 9:45 in the kitchen for a cup of coffee, and then we adjourn to the sanctuary for a time of prayer. All are welcome to join us; Karen Schall or Carol Brown can provide more details.
Gift of Caring Girl Scout Cookies are here and will be delivered to Jamestowne and Wellington Assisted Living facilities this month by Troop 846. On Sunday morning, Julie has the cookies for your families also. Enjoy and thanks for supporting scouts.
Phil and Jane Walsh had a very nice visit with the Cuneo's in Florida. However, as they were leaving the restaurant Thursday evening, Dave fell and fractured his pelvis. He and Libby are in the nursing facility within their retirement complex and are being well cared for there. Dave will not have to have surgery but is undergoing therapy. As soon as he is mobile again, they will return to their apartment. If you wish to send cards, their address is:
Dave and Libby Cuneo
15071 Shell Point Boulevard
Ft. Myers, FL 33908
Name:____________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________
Phone:_________________ Email:_____________________________
Child Care Needed:_______________________________
YES! I will Bring a Pot of Soup!__ Date______________________________
YES…I would like to help with this Study___________________________________________
th
"That The World May Know" - Faith Lessons
Video Series by
Teacher and Historian - Ray Vander Laan
Pot Luck Soup Supper: 6:00 P.M.
in the Fellowship Hall Study: 6:30-7:30
"That The World May Know" - Faith Lessons is a unique series that brings God's Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible's fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals keen insights into Scripture's significance for modern believers. Join us as we learn more of the life, times and country of Israel, and as we grow together in God’s Word!
JOIN US AS WE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER…
INVITE A FRIEND!
Host/Hostess for March Fellowships
Fellowship Sunday, March 11 - Marge and Teresa Hettrick
Fun Lunch, Tuesday, March 13 - Ruth Ann Ludwig
Fellowship Supper - Wednesday, March 21 - Scott and Jared McGill
Mother/Daughter Luncheon
Please mark your calendars for our annual Mother/Daughter Luncheon on Saturday, May 12.This year, we plan to celebrate our mothers and daughters on board Kingston's Watts Bar Belle, depending on cost and availability. Our other choice is Ivan's in Rockwood. Watch for details in April's Open Door.
Digital Arts at Bethel… Interested in digital photography?
Roane County's beauty offers many opportunities for digital photography subjects from old churches, buildings and barns, landscape and nature, to the most important subjects the people and their lives.
We at Bethel want to form a group of people who enjoy digital photography as a hobby or want to learn more about it. We hope to have a mix of new and experienced photographers who share their talents and enthusiasm. The only requirement is having good fellowship and fun.
Everyone interested in digital photography is invited to attend the first organizational meeting on Thursday March 1, 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Kingston TN. Future meeting times and topics will be determined at the first meeting.
Please let us know that you are coming or interested by contacting the church office at 376-6340 or by clicking HERE, or Alf Rybka 882-8836 (evenings) / 696-4657 (cell)/ alfred.rybka@gmail.com (there is a period between the first and last name)
“Everything a person does, once they confess that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, is stewardship. It involves what we believe about our possessions and what we do with them and what we believe about life and how we live.” The Reverend Robert W. Bohl, Sept 2006 Stewardship Magazine
So… we ask you to prayerfully consider involving a part of your life, a part of your stewardship, in a church committee. Don’t wait to be called; call the person listed as committee chairman in the budget information below and tell them you want to be involved. Committees are the heart of all our congregational programs. Without you, our heart beats a little slower.
Session approved the 2007 budget at its February stated meeting. Copies of the detail budget are in the narthex or can be obtained at the church office. Summarized, the 2007 budget is:
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2006 Actuals |
2007 Budget |
| Benevolence |
$ 31,475 |
$ 32,266 |
| Property & Personnel (Frank Harris) |
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| Pastoral Leadership |
75,480 |
78,020 |
| Other Staff |
82,163 |
75,730 |
| Operating Expense |
33,250 |
26,918 |
| Christian Education (Denise Martin) |
2,558 |
3,950 |
| Evangelism (Alf Rybka) |
573 |
700 |
| Mission Outreach (Laura Dailey) |
7,431 |
9,682 |
| Parish Life (Nelda Toon) |
331 |
550 |
| Stewardship & Finance (Carol Brown) |
169 |
175 |
| Worship & Spiritual Life (Amber Jacks) |
1,010 |
1,140 |
| Session Expenses |
422 |
250 |
| Total Expense |
$ 234,862 |
$ 229,381 |
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| Contributions |
$ 229,149 |
$ 229,381 |
2007 Financial Data through January:
Budget to date: $19,115
Income to date: $17,877
Expense to date: $11,903
Finally, check out our new bulletin board in the fellowship hall. If you find a good story about stewardship, just tack it to our bulletin board to share with everyone!
The months of January and February have been a lot of fun for the youth. We’ve eaten pizza and tacos. We watched a new movie called “One night with the King”, a movie about the life of Ester. And, we put together “Fat Tuesday”, complete with decorations, Cajun/Big Band music, and delicious, fattening foods to enjoy. I guess it would be safe to say that “Fat Tuesday” was my personal favorite.
We’ve also resumed our study of the Old Testament prophets, right where we had left off before Christmas. Moses had just died and Joshua had become the leader of the Israelites. There will be lots of those “Can you believe that?” moments in the near future for us. I can’t wait!
The next big event on our calendar is our youth lock-in at Laser Quest on March 9th. We are all looking forward to this. It will be a youth bonding/recruiting trip and it should be a lot of fun for everyone!
Looking ahead, we are already planning our next Sunday youth service and the annual youth auction/luncheon. We don’t have dates set for either of those yet, but they will be another couple of “must be there” events to put on your calendar. We will let everyone know as soon as those dates are selected. We hope to see everyone there!
May God’s love guide and protect you .................... Greg Murr
Attention!
The cancelled Fall Middle School Retreat at John Knox Center has been rescheduled for May 4-6, 2007. Registration information will be sent to the churches in mid-March. If you have questions, please contact Youth Committee chairperson, Bill Kee: 865-254-3220, or bill9782@charter.net , or call the presbytery office.
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Summer Camp
REGISTRATION ONLINE NOW!
Even though the temperatures are hovering around freezing and snow covers the ground, we are in full swing for Summer Camp 2007 at the John Knox Center. Registration is available ONLINE! Go to www.johnknoxcenter.org and click on "Summer Camp", on the left corner of your screen.
We offer programs for children ages 4-18, there is a session for everyone! Critter Camp, Night Owl Camp, Adventure Sampler and the two week Jr. High Marathon are just the beginning. A full list camp descriptions, prices, and dates are listed on our website. If you would like more information for your church newsletter, please let me know.
There are several ways parents can register their child. Web registration is available now, and the summer camp brochures are available at the church.
Please feel free to give Bri Payne, program director at John Knox Center, a call for more information. (865) 376-2236.
Summer Youth Get-a-Way 2007
June 10-14
For outstanding high school students who are current or emerging leaders in your church, Summer Youth Get-a-Way ’07 offers a 5-day Maryville College experience that will give them opportunities to deepen their faith, sharpen their leadership skills, and have a great time. Please select up to four of your young leaders for this year’s Get-a-Way. Registration is affordable and scholarships are available, but as this is a small retreat experience, space is very limited. For further information, contact Kathleen Farnham at 865-981-8217 or kathleen.farnham@maryvillecollege.edu.
... not reported this month ...
... none reported this month ...
• Palm Sunday April 1 Lenten Study Sunday 6:00 p.m.
• Maundy Thursday April 5 Worship 7:00 p.m.
• Good Friday April 6 Worship 7:00 p.m.
• Easter April 8 (One Great Hour of Sharing)
Community Sunrise Worship
11:00 a.m..Worship
Dear Bethel Family,
Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers, love and support. My family and I can never express how much you all have meant to us and done for us during our time of need. I thank God for his many blessings and count my Bethel family as one of them.
Marci Smith
Marianne Shadden, our website editor, shares this entry in the web site visitor register on Friday, January 26, 2007.
Christopher Alexander of Harriman writes:
“I wanted to share with you and your church community how much I enjoyed your website! I am a parish member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Harriman. I am also a full time senior at Austin Peay State University. One of my classes (Computers, Writing, and Literacy) called upon me to evaluate three websites. I chose yours, South Harriman Baptist Church’s (my church throughout childhood and young adulthood) and Blessed Sacrament’s. I was quite impressed with how you have utilized the electronic medium to reach out into the community at large. Thank you for doing such a great job at spreading the activities of Christ and the gathering of the Body of Christ at Bethel.”
... nothing to ponder this month ...
IN HEALTH CARE CENTERS
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| NAME |
FACILITY |
Ruby Hunter,
Anne Robertson,
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 |
AT HOME
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Doris Barber, Madge Mounger, Ginny Warlick, Wanda Carter, Al & Dot Davis, Tom & Helen Roostee, Marc Sherrod, Marci Smith, Hugh Webb, Justin Trivette
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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)
AMBER JACKS (07)
717-6756
(Steve, Jeremiah, Hayden)
Brown, Linda & *Travis
Bunch, Chuck & Brenda
Choate, Jennifer
Choate, Linda
+Lowery, Lily
Morgan, Ralph & Joni
Morgan, Susannah
Morgan, Frederick
Pemberton, Joan
Russell, Dianne
Young, Jean
+Young, Scott
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FRANK JONES (08)
376-7319
(Linda)
Fletcher, Sara
Hart, Karen
Harvey, Jerry & *Pat
Hensley, Mary Ann
Jones, Bob & Sue
Landers, Clay & Nancy
Parkinson, Doris Ann
Preston, Mark & Linda
Preston, Ryan
+Rusher, Lisa
Rybka, Samantha
Standridge, David & *Debbie
+Woodall, Don
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Bina Kirby