Bethany Road. From Pastor Peter s Desk. Inside this issue:

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1 B E T H A N Y P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H W. V E N A N G O S T. M E R C E R, P A Bethany Road Volume 12, Issue 10 From Pastor Peter s Desk October 2015 Sabbath rest is an opportunity to refresh your soul, your emotional well-being and your physical strength. I had an opportunity to do that with my study leave. I just returned from a canoe and portage adventure in Canada. It was seven days of canoeing 36 miles, and 24 miles of hiking, portaging our canoes and backpacking. We had beautiful weather with mostly sunny days and moon-filled nights. Every day we took time to worship God with planned morning, lunch and evening worship, sharing a reflection on Scripture and praying. Another important part of our worship was to experience God s creation and the fellowship of fellow hikers. God gave us opportunities to watch a moose swimming in a lake, a coyote combing the beach, loons swimming gracefully, a baby beaver eating branches and geese flying south for the winter. We also heard loons calling to each other, an owl hooting at us and coyotes howling. It was a heart and soul filling and muscle aching experience. Another very unique experience we had was an opportunity to have a solitary and solo time with God. We were dropped at specific places away from each other early Saturday afternoon. This was our time to personally get connected with God as we established our own little campsite. I had some inspiring times of reading, worshiping and praying. I almost had a burning bush experience in the middle of the night as the dried-up tree stump next to my supposedly dead fire pit got ignited. I believe it was God that woke me up as I heard a loud crash of a branch falling down in the dark and suddenly poof I saw a light. I turned to the light and saw that the stump was completely ignited and thought about maybe asking God what he wanted but then I realized this is not the burning bush. God intended for his children to have a regular weekly Sabbath rest as well as a Sabbath vacation. It is God s way of refreshing and reviving our lives and specially helping us to reconnect with God. I pray that we all can take more seriously our need for Sabbath rest. Matt 11:28 come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. NIV Inside this issue: Children s Christmas Program; Thank You; Snacks Needed, Operation Christmas Child Bethany Women; Taste of the Holidays Bethany Women 4 Christian Education 5 Christian Education 6 October Calendar 7 Senior Luncheon 2 3 Back Cover Committee Meetings: Property Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. Deacons W ednesday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m. Finance Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m. Outreach Monday, October 12 at 7 p.m. Christian Education Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. Member Involvement Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. Worship & Memorials Tuesday, October 13 at 7 p.m. SESSION Tuesday, October 22nd 7 p.m.

2 Children s Christmas Program... Children s Christmas Program: It s hard to believe that it is that time again!!! It is time to begin preparing for Christmas!!! Children s Christmas Program practice will begin on Tuesday, October 6 th immediately following Totally Terrific Tuesdays. All children are welcome--ages Kindergarten through 6 th grade. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Patty Klutcher at or pklutcher@bethanypresbyterian.org. Thank You... After 20 years of faithful service, Dorothy Wester is retiring as Kitchen Coordinator. Nancy Heckathorn has been appointed to replace her. Would anyone who plans on using kitchen and/or products from pantry, please contact Nancy and check so we can keep everything stocked properly. Please call if you have any plans to use the kitchen. Thanks to Dorothy for all her service and I look forward to working with you in the future. Nancy Heckathorn Snacks Needed... A sign-up sheet, with accompanying information, has been placed at the Welcome Center for anyone interested in providing snacks for Fall Youth Group meetings. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Carol George at (724) Operation Christmas Child Dedication... Operation Christmas Child: Operation Christmas Child dedication will be November 8 th ; so begin your shopping now. Together we can share the love of Jesus. V OLU ME 1 2, ISS UE 1 0 Page 2

3 My Ladies Bible Study Continues Our Study of James. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 6 at 10:00 a.m. in the rear of Carson Chapel. We will be continuing our study of the mini books of the New Testament James. We will begin with James 3:1 and following and learn what James says about the need to tame our tongue. Our next meeting will begin where we left off on the 6 th of October and will be held on Tuesday, October 20 same time, same place. This Bible Study is open to all widows and concludes by 11:15 a.m. A Special Invitation To All Women This is a special invitation to all women to come and join in the Fall Women s Brunch, sponsored by the Bethany Presbyterian Women, on Saturday, October 31 from 10:00 until noon in the Social Hall. This morning will find us enjoying each other s company, searching our hearts to see how we can help those in need in our local community, play a game or two, participate in our raffle basket (which everyone has a chance to win), and enjoy lunch. Lunch will be provided and will include a choice of several homemade soups, sandwiches, and seasonal desserts. What is the cost? There is no cost. We just want to provide you with a wonderful morning of relaxation and enjoy the company of others. If you would like to contribute to one of our current collections, that would be great. We are currently collecting the following: eating soups for AWARE and paper products for Joshua s Haven tissues, napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, and powdered laundry detergent. (yes, you can still buy powdered detergent and you can stretch your money the farthest by purchasing it at local dollar stores.) These items can be placed in the green bins in the Vogan Annex through December 15. If you wish to attend, put on your favorite fall attire, and call the church office at and let Lois know how many will be coming. We are also accepting raffle baskets (any size; any theme). You can either bring yours in the week of the Brunch, the day of the Brunch or call Nancy Ollinger- Thiess at and let her know you are providing one. This is a wonderful time to invite a friend, neighbor, or co-worker. Why not join us? Why Not Join Us for A Taste of the Holidays. The Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce, of which Bethany is a member, will be welcoming in the holidays by conducting, A Taste of the Holidays. This will be held at the Mercer County Career Center (or what Mercer veterans call Vo. Tech on the Greenville Road on Thursday, October 22 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Not only will you have a wonderful time sampling numerous foods from Mercer County establishments, but you will have a chance to sit around tables and talk. You can come and stay as long as you would like and sample as much as you like for one low price. Many of the vendors will be taking orders for the holidays from those wishing to do so. There will also be a Chinese Auction and craft vendors. One fee covers all food and beverages (no alcoholic beverages will be available) that you can eat on-site. Your only additional costs would be if you wanted to participate in the Chinese Auction or purchase any crafts. For additional information or to purchase discounted tickets, please see or call Nancy Ollinger-Thiess at Support local businesses and enjoy an evening of fun, too. Page 3 B E T HA NY R OAD

4 Why Not Join Us For Our Annual Thankoffering Sunday? On Sunday, November 22, the Bethany Presbyterian Women will again be celebrating its Annual Thankoffering worship service at 10:15 a.m. This is a wonderful way to give thanks for all the many blessings God has provided not only to Bethany Church, but to each of us as Christians. The message, Footprints, will be presented by the Moderator of Presbyterian Women, Nancy Ollinger-Thiess. The special collection, over and above your normal tithes and offerings, will be used to make Christmas happier for many in our local community. One half of the collection will be again used to purchase gifts of books, puzzles, toys and needed clothing for children referred to us by the Mercer County Children s Aid Society. The remaining half will be equally divided between needed items for men helped by the Joshua s Haven Mission located in Sharon and personally purchased gifts for those men and women in Mercer area nursing homes that might not receive even one gift for Christmas. The goal through this Thankoffering Sunday is to touch the lives of as many men, women and children as possible. Won t you make this dream come true? Fun and Fellowship..Preparation for Fall Brunch Why not join us on Monday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lindsey Room to make final plans for the Fall Brunch (to be held on Saturday, October 31) and to complete the favors for that Brunch. This is a wonderful opportunity to sit and chat, to enjoy each other s company in an informal setting, and to taste a delicious light refreshment. All women are cordially invited to attend this one or as many of our meetings as you would like. The next Bethany Road deadline will be Thursday, October 22. Page 4 B E T HA NY R OAD

5 Christian Education Happenings Come all, come all, to the Cool Spring Corn Maze on Sunday, Oct. 11 th from 4-8 pm with Bethany Church. All ages welcome! Cost this year is $8.50 per person with a Bethany coupon. This includes the Corn Maze, the new Jump Pad, the Hay Maze, group Hayrides, Pedal Tractors, 40 ft. Mountain Slides, group campfire, and the Barnyard Board game. Concessions and additional activities are extra. BETHANY KIDS Totally Terrific Tuesdays begin on Tuesday, October 6 th and continue until November 17th. Our three-week study for each group will be from the book of Jonah on God s Call, Our Response, and Our Attitude. Thank you to everyone who is volunteering, praying, and/or donating other resources for us to have this program. Please pray as we minister to these kids as seeds of the gospel are planted and they will produce fruit. Pray also that there will maybe be follow-up with the Corn Maze, Kid s Musical, Sunday School, a Sunday morning service and/or Junior Retreat. Parents of 3 rd -6 th graders mark your calendar for our Junior Retreat at The Castle on November 21 & 22. Be sure to invite friends to attend with you. Cost is $40 and transportation will be provided by Watson s this year. BETHANY STUDENTS Youth Alpha is on Sundays from 6-8 pm for middle and high school students. We have several Young Life leaders from Grove City College that have joined us as well this fall. In October, our film series will be discussing the following questions: How can I have faith? Why and how do I pray? Why and how do I read the Bible? How does God guide us into a full life? Three events for November to be aware of are our second annual Food & Friend Drive, Awake All-Nighter, and the Young Life Weekender for high school. Parents we need your help with driving for the Food & Friend Drive as we see how much pounds of food we can get for Loaves and Fishes. We will also be rounding up friends that night to bring to the Alpha Youth Film series and inviting them to Awake and the Young Life Fall Weekend.

6 What is Awake? Awake is a new, 12 hour all-night event for middle and high school students on Friday, Nov. 13. We will start at Bethany Church at 7 pm with food, games, and speaker. Then at 9 pm the Watson buses will roll out for more fun at the Grove City YMCA, Olympic Fun Center, and possibly 10-Pin Alley. We will return to Bethany at 5 am, but Awake will continue with more fun and breakfast until 7 am. Cost is $20. Tickets are limited and will be on sale starting October 11 th. More information or questions see Nate. The Young Life Fall Weekend is a high school retreat at YMCA Camp Kon O Kwee in Fombelle, PA. Over 400 students will be attending. Cost is $115 for two nights. High school students can get a Bethany $20 discount after they register for both Awake All-Nighter and the Weekender. Bethany students who register for the Weekender will also get an additional discount of $20 or more. Need based scholarships are also available through Bethany. More information or questions see information at the Welcome Center or Nate.

7 14 8:00 Quilters Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 Communion 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Worship TTT Meeting 6-8 Youth Groups 11 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Worship 4:00 Cool Spring Corn Maze 18 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Worship 6-8 Youth Groups 25 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Worship Bethany U Luncheon 6-8 Youth Groups 5 6:30 Cub Scouts 12 No School/Scouts 7:00 Outreach 19 6:30 Cub Scouts 7:00 Fun & Fellowship 26 6:30 Cub Scout Pack Meeting in the Social Room October :00 My Ladies 3-6 TTT 6:15 Musical Practice 6:30 Property TTT 6:15 Musical Practice 7:00 Member Involvement; Worship & Memorials; Christian Education 20 10:00 My Ladies 3-6 TTT 6:15 Musical Practice 6:30 Cub Committee 27 6:15 Musical Practice NO TTT 7 8:00 Quilters 6:00 Praise Practice 6:30 Deacons 7:00 Choir 12:00 Staff Lunch Restaurant Meeting 6:00 Praise Practice 6:30 Military Prayer 7:00 Choir 21 8:00 Quilters 6:00 Praise Practice 7:00 Choir 28 8:00 Quilters Noon Sr. Luncheon 6:00 Praise Practice 7:00 Choir 1 7:00 District Scouts 8 7:00 Finance Patents Night Out ~Kids here at the church :00 Session :00 Brunch Set-Up in the Social Room and Kitchen Women s Brunch Page 7 B E T HA NY R OAD

8 BETHANY PRESBYT ERIAN CHURCH 100 W. VENANGO ST. MERCER, PA Regular Office Hours Mon. Fri. 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. (724) Prayer Chain: Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Mercer, PA PERMIT No. 39 Fax: Web: We re here to Exalt, to Encourage, to Equip, to TO: or current address Fall Senior Luncheon The Deacons will be having a luncheon honoring our Seniors on Wednesday, October 28 at noon in the Social Room. There will be a time for fellowship, a wonderful program and a delicious meal. Please call the church office at by Friday, October 23 to make reservations.