Bethany Beacon A NEW DAY -- MOVING FORWARD IN CHRIST

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1 May 2016 Volume 9, Issue 5 Bethany Beacon A NEW DAY -- MOVING FORWARD IN CHRIST 5403 N 2 nd Street Loves Park, IL PHONE: (815) Our Mission: To equip people to be fully devoted to Jesus Christ through relevant and practical ministries. St. Bridget Pantry donations 1 st Sunday of every month See Dawn Gregory to Volunteer On Sunday, April 17, the congregation gathered to vote on the issue of disaffiliating with the Presbyterian Church (USA) in order to affiliate with the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO). If you haven't yet heard the results, the measure passed with an overwhelming majority of over 97% in favor of the proposal. In other words, we are now no longer a PCUSA congregation, and upon application approval, we will become an ECO congregation. Bethany is well on its way toward a new adventure as a church family. We remind each of you that the decision to disaffiliate from the PCUSA was not a kneejerk reaction, but is the result of considerable prayer, study and deliberation. For the past two years, Session has been in a time of discernment, especially concerning the theology, practice and structure of the PCUSA. There is a growing segment of the PCUSA whose understanding of the authority of Scripture and the uniqueness of the Person and work of Jesus Christ differ significantly from our own. With hundreds of congregations leaving the PCUSA, Session believes the timing is right for Bethany to move on, and work towards disaffiliation. It is vital that we all understand that this decision means that there will be changes, but probably fewer in terms of week-to-week operations, than one might think. For the most part, our worship, leadership, traditions, and events will not change. As we move forward into the ECO affiliation, there will be some changes in the way we nominate and elect officials, our commitment to missions and evangelism, and more. Such changes--all of which are healthy and positive-- will be shared in the coming months. But let us also move forward in strength, confidence and generosity. Let us commit our money, energy and faith to the work we have ahead of us. Please remember that there will be challenges, one of which is the potential conflict with Blackhawk Presbytery over our property. We anticipate Blackhawk will form an Administrative Commission to respond to our action to leave the PCUSA. Normally, this commission's first objective is to cause doubt or confusion among the congregation in order to delay or prevent a vote to disaffiliate. Since we acted quickly and the actual vote was so overwhelming, we were able to divert a lot of headaches. So most likely, Blackhawk will try to force us to pay to keep our property. We hope and pray that litigation will be avoided, but we must be prepared in the event it is unavoidable. You are encouraged to continue to be generous with your gifts to Bethany s General fund, but if you feel led, we encourage you to also assist with possible legal fees. If it is your desire to help beyond your usual giving, please write "legal fees" in an additional giving line of your contribution envelope and indicate the additional amount you are giving. On April 27, Session met with an Examination Team from ECO who shared information and questioned Bethany s vision for our relationship with Christ and ECO affiliated churches in the future. We should hear within the next few weeks that Bethany s Membership in ECO has been approved. We look forward to seeing what our church will look like in the next months, years, and beyond. Bethany is ready to be re-formed into a new congregation, eager to do the work to which we have been called. A new day, with new hope is ahead, as we seek to faithfully follow Jesus Christ alone, who is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Your Bethany's Session Lori, Tom, Dan, Jay, Tami, Marlys, Jerry, Andy and Hope

2 Bethany Beacon MISSION OF THE MONTH -May Care Source Care Source of Rockford is here to offer help and hope to those who may be facing an unplanned pregnancy. We know that this can be a time of great confusion, fear and loneliness, and we believe that no one should face life-changing decisions alone. Many of our staff and volunteers have experienced an unplanned pregnancy themselves or have walked alongside someone close to them who has. Others reached out to us in our time of need. Now we want to reach out and be there for you in your time of need. There is no cost to our clients for any of our services thanks to the generous individuals, churches, businesses and organization that partner with us. We are funded entirely through private donations and do not receive any government funding. There are many people in Rockford and the surrounding area who give finances, time and talents to the Care Center because they believe that if our clients are given accurate information and the support they deserve, they will make really good decisions. We know this is true because many clients return as donors so they can help others receive the same life changing help and hope they received. Thank you to those members who contributed to the Bethany Youth Group in April. I wanted to thank you for your get-well cards and cards of encouragement for me, while Bill was in the hospital. Your love and support since his passing has shown me God s love more and more. Thank you Deacons for the wonderful luncheon after the funeral. All the cards, calls, and memorial donations just let me know that our church is full of God s Love. God Bless You All, Carol Shearrow and Kaya In Loving Memory - Dora Isabelle Graham June 7, February 9, 2016 D. lsabelle (Prins) Graham, age 92 of Stockton, Illinois, formerly of Loves Park, Illinois, passed away Tuesday. February 9, 2016 at Manor Court in Freeport, Illinois. She was born June 7, 1923 in Thomson, Illinois, the daughter of the late Justice and Anna (Hawk) Prins. She married Beuford Stadel on October 7, She later married Elvin Graham in September of She is survived by her daughter Dianne ( Warren) Dixon of Stockton; grandson, Richard (Michelle)Stadel of Frisco, Texas; great granddaughters. Maggie and Gretchen Stadel of Frisco, 7exas; daughter-in-law; Maxine (Richard) Shelain of Rockford, Illinois; two step-grandchildren, Suzanne (Bill) Shelain Lewis and Gregory Shelain; four step-great grandchildren, Will and Evan Lewis and Adi and Lincoln Shelain and sister JoAnn (Ralph) Buelow of Clinton, Iowa. She is preceded in death by her husband, Elvin; son, Richard B. Stadel; granddaughter, Christine M. Stadel; two sisters, Frances Stickell and Mary Margaret Eslinger and brother, Andrew Prins. lsabelle led an active life and was always willing to help or serve whenever needed. She was a Sunday School teacher for years at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Stockton and served on various committees within the church. lsabelle was an active participant in Jo Daviess County Home Extension, serving in numerous county offices, and traveling to Springfield for state meetings; also served as an elementary school room other and chaperone on school outings and served as the FHA (Future Homemakers of America) Chapter Mother. In 1973 she moved to Loves Park and found her place and Christian family at Bethany Presbyterian Church. There she taught adult Sunday School Class and lead a Bible Study She loved the Lord and sharing His message. In her elder years she went back to her Catholic roots. A loving and supportive mother to her children and grandchildren. She loved to entertain; she loved beautiful flower gardens; she loved to read and during her retirement years was an avid Cub Fan. A memorial Mass was be held on April 9 th, 2016 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton. Bethany remembers Estelle as a great member and friend!

3 Bethany Beacon KIDS KORNER Happy Mother s Day Mother's Day is this month. We learn so much from our mothers and this is a good time to thank them for all that they do. There are also some interesting dolphin mothers who live in Australia's Shark Bay. Scientists have discovered that some female dolphins were swimming around and they were holding sponges in their mouths. They would sweep the sea bottom with the sponge and flush out any fish that were in the sand. Then they would drop the sponge and eat the fish that they had flushed out. After they finished eating, they would get the sponge and do it all over again. Scientists found that 10% of the female dolphins would do this but rarely would a male dolphin do this. The female dolphins that did this had maternal dolphins that also used the sponge in the same manner. Dolphins are known to be intelligent. Isn't it wonderful had God the Creator has created Mothers with such intelligence? Prayers for Those Who Serve in the Mission Field This story was shared by our own missionary, Joan Keener, who does much from behind the scenes to share God s Word with others. This is from my missionary friend who served in Pakistan for years. When I had Kids 'Klub, she came up and talked to the older kids and made them some Pakistani food. They really enjoyed it. Here is an e mail that she just wrote to me. It would be good for our people to know about this. "I heard from Michael Abel who lives in Lahore, and he confirms all that has come in our news, concerning Pakistan. But here is a big one to pray for--can you imagine anyone would even THINK of wanting such a thing?? How demented they are! In Islamabad Islamic extremists are continuing with their protests to have a convicted self-confessed murderer who was hanged after due process of the law, as a martyr and hero because he killed a man who had spoken on behalf of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy. These extremists want his prison cell to be declared a national monument as well." Indeed, we need to pray for all that is going on right now. Deacon Church Mouse sez: Sometimes when I open my mouth, my mother comes out. Granny Church Mouse sez: I've learned...that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

4 Bethany Beacon Informational Update --A Report from PNC-- Since September, 2013, Bethany's PNC has been searching for our new pastor by using the Church Leadership Connection (CLC), which is the Internet-based matching and referral system of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We have received hundreds of Personal Information Forms (PIFs) from possible candidates, with only a small percentage leading to interviews. In March, we received twelve new PIFs, four of them leading to interviews. On Sunday, April 18th, the congregation voted to disaffiliate from the PCUSA so the two candidates that were still being considered were notified that we were joining the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) and both agreed to continue conversations with us. At the end of April, only one of the PCUSA candidates was still being considered. Towards the beginning of April, as news of the possibility of Bethany leaving the PCUSA started to spread, we were contacted by two ECO pastors seeking to shepherd a church in the Northern Illinois area. Both of these candidates are scheduled for interviews in the next few weeks. We eagerly await God's plans for Bethany as we transition into the ECO. Please continue to pray for the PNC and Bethany as we search for our next pastor. May Happy Birthdays May 1 May 4 May 5 May 7 May 7 May 11 May 14 May 17 May 20 May 22 May 23 May 24 May 24 May 25 May 29 Lori Mitchell Zoey Brown Aiden Anderson Corey Munger Carter Olson Sage Hecox Peder Carlson Nick McCormick Denny Schleicher Kim Metcalf Alex DuFoe Melissa McCormick Carolyn Rink Kelly Moore Marlys Marsh If your birthday is incorrect or if you would like to add a name to our growing list, please Lori Mitchell at momm316@yahoo.com. ***** May Nursery Schedule May 1 Jodi & Airianna Mohr May 8 Dan & Stephany Bock May 15 Becky and Autumn Moore May 22 The Munger Family May 29 The McCormick Family Thank you to those nursery volunteers who give young mothers an opportunity to participate in worship and hear a wonderful sermon without distraction. We are blessed to share Jesus in the nursery with your cherub.

5 May Bethany Beacon 1 Communion 9am: Sunday School for all ages Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 3 Session 7 Reports Due 8 Mother s Day Confirmation Sunday 9am: Sunday School for all ages 9 6pm Mission & Outreach 7pm: Session 10 7pm Uriel Circle Potluck at DJs 4 Weekly 5:30pm: Daisy Troop #3127 6pm: Praise Tm 7pm: Chancel Choir 11 Weekly 6pm: Praise Tm 7pm: Chancel Choir 5 Session Agenda ed 12 6pm: Parents Prayer Group :00 p.m. Piano Recital in Sanctuary 15 9am: Sunday School for all ages 16 5:45pm: Paper Angel Closet Weekly 9am: BYKOTA 6pm: Praise Tm 7pmChancel Ch Beacon Articles Due pm: Christian Education Weekly 6pm: Praise Team 7pm: Chancel Choir :00 Young at Heart Parade Memorial Day Coming Soon Registration for VBS Sunday School on Summer Break Beginning May 22 June 13 17

6 We seek to be a movement, not just a denomination. Our Mission: To build flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ. Our Core Values Jesus-shaped Identity: We believe Jesus Christ must be at the center of our lives and making disciples of Jesus at the core of our ministry. Biblical Integrity: We believe the Bible is the unique and authoritative Word of God, which teaches all that is necessary for faith and life. The prominence of God s Word over our lives shapes our priorities, and the unrivaled authority of the Bible directs our actions to be in concert with Christ s very best for our lives. Thoughtful Theology: We believe in theological education, constant learning, and the life of the mind, and celebrate this as one of the treasures of our Reformed heritage. Accountable Community: We believe guidance is a corporate spiritual experience. We want to connect leaders to one another in healthy relationships of accountability, synergy, and care. Egalitarian Ministry: We believe in unleashing the ministry gifts of women, men, and every ethnic group. Missional Centrality: We believe in living out the whole of the Great Commission including evangelism, spiritual formation, compassion, and redemptive justice in our communities and around the world. Center-focused Spirituality: We believe in calling people to the core of what it means to be followers of Jesus what mere Christianity is and does and not fixate on the boundaries. Leadership Velocity: We believe identifying and developing gospel-centered leaders is critical for the church, and a great leadership culture is risk-taking, innovative, and organic. Kingdom Vitality: We believe congregations should vigorously reproduce new missional communities to expand the Kingdom of God.