THE BETHEL INFORMER. January Rev. Tim Starbuck, Pastor. Resolutions on Growing Old with God

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1 Happy New Year! THE BETHEL INFORMER January 2016 Rev. Tim Starbuck, Pastor Resolutions on Growing Old with God I do not want to be a grumpy old man. God threatens terrible things to those who grumble (Psalm 106:25-26). Murmuring dishonors God, who promises to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Complaining puts out the light of our Christian witness (Philippians 2:14-15). A critical, anxious spirit dries up joy and peace (Philippians 4:6-7). That is not the way I want to grow old. I want to be like the aging man in Psalm 71. We know he is getting old because he prays. Even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me (verse 18, RSV) and Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent (verse 9, RSV). Looking at this man's approach to old age I have formed some resolutions: 1. I will remember with wonder and thanks the thousands of times I have leaned on God since my youth. For you are my hope; O Lord God, you are my confidence from my youth (verse 5). O God, you have taught me from my youth, and I still declare your wondrous deeds. (verse 17). 2. I will take refuge in God rather than gripe in my troubles. In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge (verse 1). 3. I will speak to God more and more, not less and less until there is no more room in my mouth for complaining. My praise is continually of You (verse 6). I will... praise You yet more and more (verse 14). continued on next page...

2 ...continued 4. I will hope and not give in to despair, even in the nursing home, and even if I outlive all my friends. I will hope continually. (verse 14). 5. I will find people to tell about God's wonderful acts of salvation. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness, and of Your salvation all day long, for I do not know the sum of them. (verse 15). 6. I will stay on the lookout for younger people and tell them about the power of God. I will tell them that God is strong and can be trusted in youth and age. Do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation. (verse 18). 7. I will remember that there are great things about God above my imagination, and soon enough I will know these too. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens (verse 19). 8. I will count all my pain and troubles as a gift from God and a path to His glory. You who have shown me many troubles and distresses will revive me again. (verse 20). 9. I will resist stereotypes of old people, and play and sing and shout with joy (whether it looks dignified or not). I will praise You with the harp, even Your truth, O my God: to You I will sing praises with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel (verse 22). My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You. (verse 23). I invite you to join me in these resolutions and to bank your hope on the precious promises of God to his aged ones: Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save (Isaiah 46:4 RSV). Grace and Peace, Tim <>< Please keep these persons and their circumstances in your prayers: Elsie Joiner, Gary Phelps, Bill Donovan, Junior and Ruth Pittman. Nursing Homes/Retirement Centers: John Warren, Vera Eudy, Ellen Cobb, Ernie Wortman and Elmer Coggins, Jr.

3 Sunday 9:15 a.m. Prayer Room Opens 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Assembly 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 5:00 p.m. Youth Meeting Wednesday 5:30 9:00 p.m. Prayer Room 6:45 7:45 p.m. Wonderful Wednesday 1st Tues day United Methodist Women 6:30 Family Life Center 1st Sunday United Methodist Men 7:30 Family Life Center 2nd Thursday Senior Adult Singles 5:30 p.m. Van leaves from Church 1 Happy New Year! 3 7:30 a.m. United Methodist Men 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 12:00 1:30 p.m. Fundraiser Luncheon Take Down Christmas Tree 5 6:30 p.m. United Methodist Women 6 5:00 9:00 p.m. Prayer Room 6:45 p.m. Wonderful Wednesday 10 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 11 6:00 7:00 p.m. Brenner Fit 13 5:00 9:00 p.m. Prayer Room 6:45 p.m. Wonderful Wednesday 14 5:30 p.m. S.A.S.S.Y :00 a.m. Worship Service 20 5:00 9:00 p.m. Prayer Room 6:45 p.m. Wonderful Wednesday 24 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 25 6:00 7:00 p.m. Brenner Fit 27 5:00 9:00 p.m. Prayer Room 6:45 p.m. Wonderful Wednesday 31 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 6:00 p.m. 5th Sunday Singing

4 JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES 26 Harold and Shelby Walker 28 Vince and Sarah Brown If your birthday or anniversary is incorrect or not listed please call the office and let Wanda know Thank you! Check it out! Bethel s Webpage JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 2 John Nance 3 Tracy Mayhew 3 Samantha Boaz 5 Adam Oakley 5 Jack Tobin 5 Charles Wood 8 Jeff Burns 8 Robert Safrit 8 10 Sarah Fritts 13 Cindy Simpson 14 Sierra Brown 14 George Fore 14 Peggy Safrit 17 Loretta Baker 17 Patty Bowling Woods 18 Tim Starbuck 21 Benjamin Smith 22 Eric Johnson 22 Walker Grayson Surratt 23 Chris Lewis 30 Zeb Hanner 30 Suzanne Finch 30 Sarah Beck 31 Caleb Starbuck The Evangelism Committee is selling Bethel Mugs to benefit the General Fund for $5.00 each. Committee members are: Martha Doby, Joel and Melissa Ferguson. Tree of Life Brochures for the Building Fund If you need a brochure, please look in the vestibule at church or contact the church secretary and she will be glad to mail you one. Phone ( )

5 Our Helpers and Leaders in January Ushers: Don Elkins Steve Ferguson Ricky Simpson David Smith If you need to contact the church secretary, her hours are as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 3:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Phone: Acolytes, Greeters, and Nursery January 3 Acolyte Kelby Starbuck Greeters Joel and Melissa Ferguson Infant Nursery Charles and Priscilla Wood January 10 Acolyte Zoë Starbuck Greeters Donald and Lois Wilson Infant Nursery January 17 Acolyte Julie Beck Greeters Allen and Jeffrey Brown Infant Nursery Linda Goins and Irene King January 24 Acolyte Kelby Starbuck Greeters Steve and Debbie Ferguson Infant Nursery Ricky and Cindy Simpson January 31 Acolyte Greeters Infant Nursery Zoë Starbuck Paul and Ruth Powers Kemp and Sue Tobin The Mission of the Bethel United Methodist Church is to: Bring people together for the worship of God by Encouraging a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through Teaching the Gospel message of salvation. We must Hear the cry of others-both spiritual and physical Establish supportive ministries for all ages by Loving and affirming all people as they grow spiritually in their faith.

6 United Methodist Men Sunday, January 3rd 7:30 a.m. at the Family Life Center. All men are invited to attend! United Methodist Women FAITH HOPE LOVE IN ACTION Tuesday, January 5th 6:00 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Come for pizza and enjoy the fellowship. There are open dates on the flower calendar: January 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st If you would like to reserve flowers for any of these dates, All women are invited to come and be a part of this wonderful missions group. Books from the UMW Reading Program are in the library. Please Contact: Priscilla Wood ( ) The United Methodist Men will be making chicken pies to sell. The price of the pies are $ 8.00 each. Please call the church to reserve your pie. The United Methodist Women are selling flavoring for $3.00 a bottle. Please contact at and leave a message on her answering machine or please see her at church if you would like to purchase a bottle. Flavors Rum, Maple, Orange, Vanilla (Clear & Regular), Banana, Butter Nut, Almond, Lemon, Butter, Coconut Flavoring and Black Walnut

7 Children s Ministry Youth Ministry Wednesday Night 6:45 p.m. MASCOT PECANS We will be selling pecans during the holiday season to support the Playground Fund. We have 16 0z. pecan halves and pieces for $ We also have chocolate covered pecans for $8.00. (Great for gifts!) 2015 Crop! Please contact Cindy Simpson, Paige Simpson or Sheila Myers. Youth Meetings 5:00 p.m. January...3 January...10 January...17 January...24 January...31 MISSIONS/ OPPORTUNITIES Local Missions: The UMW is collecting for the Cooperative Community Ministry. The items for January are canned juices and fruit. Fundraiser Luncheon Sunday, January 3, :00 1:30 p.m. Immediately following the worship service. Cubed Steak and Rice Green Beans Slaw Dessert and Drink Cost: Adults $6.00 Children 6 & under $ years $3.00 Come join us!

8 Wednesday Night Suppers January 6th Pintos Cabbage Stewed Potatoes Corn Bread Cooks: Gloria Banton Dolores Elkins Desserts: Gloria Banton Vicki Benton Evelyn Coggins Dolores Elkins January 20th Baked Spaghetti Salad Garlic Toast Desserts: Father s Faithful Class Clean Up: Father s Faithful Class Wednesday Night Menu Time: 5:30 p.m. Helper: Irene King Clean Up: Jit and Darlene January 13th Soup Grilled Cheese Cook: and Gloria Banton Desserts: Sarah Bowling Imogene Garrett Mozelle Myers Clean Up: Jit and Darlene Helpers: Lori Ferguson Irene King January 27th Fried Chicken Creamed Potatoes Green Beans Cook: and Gloria Banton Desserts: Linda Finch Irene King Wavel Surratt Clean Up: Jit and Darlene Helper: Lori Ferguson Irene King Come join us! Cost: Adults $6.00 Children 6 & under $ years $3.00

9 Nursing Home and Shut-Ins List This is an updated list of addresses and birthdays for shut-ins and for those that are in nursing homes. I am sure that they would enjoy getting a card from anyone in their church family. Home Place Vickers Store Road Albemarle, NC Vera Eudy Phone: (704) Spring Arbor Assisted Living/Memory Care 915 W. Cooksey Drive Room 313 Ernie Wortman Piedmont Crossing 100 Hedrick Drive. Thomasville, NC Room 428 Ellen Cobb August 9th Room 215 Elmer Coggins, Jr. December 18th John and Ruth Pittman 709 Lakeview Dr. Thomasville, NC John September 24th Ruth October 29th Anniversary August 22nd Last Updated 12/27/15 Pastor Tim has new phone numbers. Pastor s Mobile: Parsonage: The old numbers will work until January 31st.