|  Advent and Christmas with Niggle /
Pastor Dan Baumgartner
Niggle. What kind of a name is that? One that probably only a mind like J.R.R. Tolkien could think up, imagine a character for and write into a short story. Which he did, by the way, in "Leaf By Niggle."
Divine Appointments / an interview with John Chase and Gail Beran Neils
 Daniel Kutz's work as an aviation engineer led to a two to four year relocation in Beijing that began last summer. The Kutz's departed with their Bethany friends and family praying that God would make a way for them, providing another church family when they arrived...
A Partnership Growing Up/ Frank Holman
We knew this service team trip to Honduras would be different than the adult trip in 2005. It was later in the season-October instead of August, and our team's average age was older-55 instead of 38...
Seven Things I Wish I'd Known Earlier About Healing Prayer
Mark Cutshall 
Jesus healed. I believed that for years. Believed the Gospel accounts of the blind man, the paralytic, all of the biblical accounts. Yet ever since I began to take Jesus seriously and follow him back in high school, I tended to view His healing miracles like newspaper clippings-factual evidence of His power, true stories that yellowed over time, great feats to admire and archive...
Dynamis: What's In A Name?
Tim Dearborn (course coauthor and teacher) emails the Planning Team, "I met with Pastor Dan. He's very supportive of the course, but we need a new name." He types a few ideas, "Whole Life for a Whole World: Finding Our Place in God's Adventure"? or "Wholeness: Flourishing God's Way"?...hmmm...eager for your thoughts."
December 24 Services for Children / Dianne Ross, Children's Ministries Director
- Special Celebrations of Jesus' Birth
Sun, Dec 24, 10:00 am
Children are invited to this service, and will leave after the Children's Time for "Special Celebrations of Jesus' Birth."
- Age 2: Cherub Room
- Ages 3-4: Room 203
The 4th & 5th graders will put on a party for them.
- K-2nd grade: Parlor
Some adults will put on a party for them, assisted by 3rd graders.
To help us plan crafts and special snacks for the 3- and 4-year-old party, please RSVP Dianne Ross by Dec. 15.
- Christmas Eve Service
Sun, Dec 24, 5:00 pm
Our 5th graders will lead the service again this year, and Pastor Dan will read a short story. The service will conclude with candlelight, singing "Silent Night."
Childcare is provided for infants through 2-year-olds at both of these services.
Grief in the Holiday Season
Holidays can be difficult for those who live with the loss of loved ones, unfulfilled dreams, or loneliness. Here are a collection of articles (in .pdf form) that you might find helpful for yourself or others you care about:
WND: Christmas
In the fall, Bethany's Wednesday Night Dinner gives raincoats and toiletries to our dinner guests. They now have enough toiletries, but are still in need of XL and XXL men's coats.
Spiritual Support Group
Tuesdays, 1:00 pm in the Library
The stores are ready for Christmas buying again; too early, as usual. Many of us are set up to grieve past holiday incidents and family loss, where the naming of Christmas is overshadowed and the entire season is a source for regret and unhappiness.
We can get together and support one another, practice prayer to heal our hearts and find practical ways to spend each day; not just at holiday time, but also through the dark days of winter.
The Spiritual Support Group meets on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm in the library. The group begin on Tues, Nov 21 and will continue until summertime. Facilitated by Janet Moore.
On
the Advent & Christmas Calendar
see interactive
calendar for complete listing
Alpha
Mondays, Oct 2-Dec 11
Holiday Magic
Fri, Dec 1, 6:00 pm at Bethany
Lighting the tree will start at 6:00 pm, followed by hot cider, snacks and crafts for kids and adults from 6:15-8:00 pm.
Advent Reflection Retreat led by Marlene Muller
Sat, Dec 2, 9:00 am-3:00 pm at the Dominican Reflection Center
A time of quiet reflection and communal worship. Please contact Lynne McMahan if you are interested in attending.
Advent Carol Service
Sun, Dec 3, 5:00 pm in the sanctuary
Advent Celebration for Godly Play Leaders
Tues, Dec 5, 6:30 pm at Nancy Carlstrom's home
Alpha Celebration Dinner
Mon, Dec 11, 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Middle School Christmas Party
Tues, Dec 12, 6:30 pm in the Youth House
High School Christmas Party
Thurs, Dec 14, 6:30 pm in the Youth House
Christmas Reception
Sun, Dec 17, 10:15 am & 12:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall
College Age Fellowship Christmas Party
Sun, Dec 17, 6:30 pm at 7 Howe
Christmas Eve Services
Sun, Dec 24 in the Sanctuary
10:00 am - one service only
5:00 pm - family service; all are welcome
8:00 pm - candlelight service
11:00 pm - candlelight service
Special Celebration of Jesus' Birth
Sun, Dec 24, 10:00 am in Children's Church
New Year's Services
- New Year's Day services
Sun, Dec 31, 9:00 am & 10:45 am in the Sanctuary
- New Year's Eve Service
Sun, Dec 31, 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Maxine Covington & Gary Talbert will be exchanging their wedding vows during this service, with a soup-and-bread reception to follow. Please sign up if you will need childcare for children 5 years and under during the worship service by emailing maxcovin@yahoo.com.
News & Notes
Births
- Jane Elizabeth Ireton October 28 to parents Doug Ireton & Kimberlee Conway Ireton
- Stellan Daniel Schilder October 29 to parents Mark Schilder & Kristen Carlson
- Laura Ann Wooten November 8 to parents Karen & Wayne Wooten
- Anthony Eric Fues November 11 to parents Gretchen & Rob Fues
- Lydia Marie Schultz November 11 to parents Mike & Amy Schultz
Baptisms
- Ava Noelle Starr November 12
- Clayton Maxwell Glessner November 12
Session
Notes
Chuck McFarland, Clerk
Session met in the Bethany parlor on November 14, 2006. As always, we hoped to mix "businss" and scripture/worship/prayer in roughly equal amounts of time.
- Christy Mansfield pointed us toward Christ with some contemplative psalm reading learned while on pregnancy bedrest.
- Tara Taylor and Pastor Dan led us in a wonderful, extended time of worship in song and continued in prayer...a wonderful picture of our whole session praying on their knees.
- Met with Bethany member, former intern and current Fuller student Sarah Hanson to interview her for entering the ordination process. We enthusiastically voted to take her under care.
- Treasurer Steve Jones informed session of the large but improving deficit for 2006. Steve then led extended conversation and prayer over a first draft budget for 2007, to be modified and worked on at the December meeting.
- John Chase gave an update on exciting college-age ministry on Sunday evenings at Bethany.
- Tara Taylor presented a draft idea on plans to invigorate the 5 PM service in 2007.
- Session heard reports and voted to receive 30 new members into membership.
- Time was spent praying over the needs and ministries of our community.
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BETHANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH