Bethany UMC
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A Christmas Gift for Jesus
Advent Opportunities

/files/Images-General/Seasonal/Gifts Under Tree.jpgEvery year, Americans spend hundreds of billions of dollars on Christmas entertaining and gifts. Once again, Tom is challenging Bethany to rethink our Christmas celebration. Instead of our usual celebration, he challenges us to think about what gift we could bring Jesus to honor His birth. In line with our vows of membership, he has challenged us, and himself, to do the following:

  • Daily Prayer for one person inside the church and one person outside the church; and for one concern inside the church and one concern outside the church.
  • Presence at all weekly worship, Christmas Eve worship and one learning opportunity.
  • Gifts to complete my support of the general (budgeted) ministry of the church and a commitment to give minimum 10% (a tithe) of my Christmas gift budget to the Christmas Eve offering, Nothing But Nets, Maua Methodist Hospital (Kenya), P.E.T., sponsor a child in Matete, Kenya, or another Christian mission effort.
  • Service in one volunteer opportunity inside the church and one outside the church.
  • Witness by sharing my faith with someone who needs Christ and by bringing at least one person to worship with me.

On Christmas morning, what gift will we offer the baby Jesus
that will make His heart glad?

Gift Ideas
More Gift for Jesus Ideas

MISSIONS

CARE MINISTRIES

  • Deliver care basket—contact Pastor Wynn at 258-6017, ext. 275
  • Attend adult Bible study at Clairmont—contact Cecilia Barrentine at 258-6017, ext. 231
  • For House of Friends activities, contact Susie Petersen at 331-5284:
    • Assist at Christmas Luncheon on December 12th
    • Create Christmas favors for Christmas luncheon
    • Bring a morning munchie & mingle at House of Friends from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on December 8th or 15th
    • Visit HOF dementia alumni (as part of a small group) to sing  Christmas carols. Time TBD.

STUDENT MINISTRIES

ADULT CLASSES

  • The following classes are participating in the sermon series and studying The Journey, Walking the Road to Bethlehem:

  • The Hand in Hand class is studying Christmas hymns based on the book, O Come, All Ye Faithful.  They meet at 9:30am in room D200.  For more information, contact Lis McCoy at lis@real-mccoys.net.Contact Lis McCoy, lis@real-mccoys.net for addition information.

  • The Wednesday Night Bible Study Group, led by Jimmy Johnson, meets each week at 7:00pm (after worship) in the Ministry Center. This ongoing class is casual and lively and examines a different book in the Bible every 4-6 weeks. No advance reading, preparation, book purchase, or registration is needed, just show up!  We won’t meet December 21 or 28, but will resume on January 4. For more info, contact Jimmy at jjtimes4@austin.rr.com.

CHILDREN

  • Live Nativity - 18th Annual Live Nativity & Blessing of the Animals is December 8th, 9th, & 10th from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to participate together.

    • New parents are encouraged to participate with their infants to bring the roles of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus to life.  It’s a lot of fun for the whole family!

    • Help behind the scenes (Take pictures, set-up, hostess, costume room, counter, greeter, bring food/drinks)

    • Be in the Nativity as a shepherd, angel, Wiseman or as the Holy Family. All roles are non-speaking.

    • Come to the Ministry Center or contact Julie Baxley at 258-6017, julie.baxley@bethany-umc.org

  • The Children’s Christmas Eve Service at 3:00 p.m. is an interactive experience where children participate in the celebration of our Savior’s birth. If you are interested in helping with this fun service, please contact Pastor Jessica Petersen @258-6017 ext 232 or jessica.petersen@bethany-umc.org. Opportunities include:

    • Dress as angels, kings and shepherds to lead children during story

    • Assist with costumes before and after service

    • Assist with sanctuary clean up after the service

    • Hand out headgear (halos, crowns and shepherd headbands) to the children as they come in.