BETHANY. January is totally hunker down month. Yes, it s a new year full of a fresh. Bethany Church

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1 BETHANY January is totally hunker down month. Yes, it s a new year full of a fresh start new resolutions, and blah blah, blah But it s January! Bald guys like me wear knit hats pretty much 24/7. It s the hinge month of looking back and looking forward. It s the cold month of bracing ourselves for another year of who-knowswhat. It s the bleak mid-winter month of putting on layers of dead geese. It s the black and white month when God pushes the pause button on color. You get the idea. Bethany Church 5403 N 2nd St. Loves Park, IL PHONE: (815) But January is also the great month when I get these amazing things in the mail! Just when I start reaching for another layer of protection, I get all these seed beautiful catalogues! Luscious Corn, vine-ripened tomatoes, grapes, peas, bushes and shrubs and flowers and ferns and fruit trees Gurneys, Burpees, Spring Hill Mind you, I don t plan on planting these plants. Nor is it likely I will buy any of them. But they yell to my soul, HEY! Get ready! Spring is coming. It s true! Before you know it! The days actually start to get a wee bit longer. Our souls can get really frozen stuck in January. Let s be like seed catalogues to each other and the world around us: Reminders that there is always abundant life just out of sight, but not out of reach; that God is doing amazing things beneath the surface, and that we just need to see it in our mind s eye; that it God repeatedly comes to those who wait with eager expectation. Just like watching for the crocus, start watching for the new things God is doing right now.

2 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up! Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness And streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18 19 HAPPY JANUARY, See you Sunday, Rev. Dave WORSHIP IN JANUARY We re back to the Gospel of LOOK! (Luke) in January. Jesus is preparing His followers to embark on mission, by teaching them some timeless truths. As you can SEE by the titles and passages, using our eyes to SEE is a consistent theme. What do you actually SEE that cannot be normally grasped with the naked eye? 1/7 Communion: Epiphany Sunday Luke 6:39 40 The Light Comes On! 1/14 Luke 6:41 42 Specks and Logs 1/21 Luke 6:43 45 Recognizable 1/28 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, Luke 6:46 49 What is Your Foundation? MISSION STATEMENT: To equip people to be fully devoted to Jesus Christ through relevant and practical ministries BROWN BAG LUNCH BIBLE STUDY MOVES TO TUESDAYS THE COVENANT KEEPING GOD. Starting Tuesday January 2, the Bible Study that normally meets at Noon on Thursdays will meet at Noon on Tuesdays. We are in the middle of Exodus. Make a lunch bag and come and join us. Coffee is always on.

3 Nomination Committee News The Nomination Committee is seeking officers to serve the ministry needs at Bethany. The individuals being sought are those whom God has given a call to keep Bethany serving as a beacon in our community. If you feel the longing to share your talents as a member of Session or a Deacon, please talk to anyone on the Nominating Committee: Lori Mitchell, Jerry Hewitt, Donovan Wood, Carol Shearrow, or Paul Brown. Thank you from Carpenter s Place Merry Christmas to all of our mission partners at Bethany! This December, your donations and positive impact were doubled and all gifts were matched up to $50,000. We thank you and pray you will be blessed with peace, love and joy during the New Year. Gratefully, Kay Larrick, Executive Director. Crib Corner Bethany has two new babies: Justin and Lisa Bock are the proud parents of Beaumont Bock, born December 12th, He is 7lbs. Grandparent is Dan Bock. Eddie and Julie Nesby are the proud parents of Selah Noel Ella Nesby, born December 23rd, Selah is joining his sisters, Zoey and Talitha. She is 8lbs. and 13oz.. Her proud maternal grandparents are Ed and Sherry Zahorik. Walter (Chip) Oswald- Jan 2 nd Olive Bressler- Jan 5 th Paul Komisky- Jan 8 th David Eickman- Jan 12 th Jeff Hoffman- Jan 13 th Hillary Miley- Jan 13 th Jesse Anderson- Jan 14 th Keren Troy- Jan 14 th Caleb Bock- Jan 18 th LaVerne Buske- Jan 18 th Diane Johnson- Jan 19 th Tom Smith- Jan 22 nd Daisy Ruthe- Jan 23 rd Airiana Mohr- Jan 27 th If we missed your special day, please contact Lori Mitchell or Ashley Sherwood. ~Annual Congregational Meeting~ Immediately After Worship on Sunday, January 14, 2017 to: Receive and Approve All Written and Financial Reports of the Church Receive the Report of the Nominating Committee and Election of Officers Receive the Operating Budget for 2018 Receive the Stewardship Report from Paul Brown Please have all reports to Lori Mitchell by January 8 th so the Annual Report can be produced in a timely manner.

4 Deacons Nursery Greeters Childrens Sermon JAN 7 Communion: Ruth Ann Zipperer Fellowship: Ruth Ann and Becky Nicole Lara & Olivia Lara Lori Mitchell and Terri Bailey Communion JAN 14 Ruth Ann and Becky Lori Mitchell & Brynn Krug Tami and Bart Munger Chris Franklin JAN 21 Ruth Ann and Becky Terri Bailey & Keyara Bailey Sarah Wyatt Dan Bock JAN 28 Ruth Ann and Becky Deborah Krug & Rachel Krug Marilyn Buske Ed Zahorik MISSION OF THE MONTH: Bethany Youth Mission Trip January s Mission of the Month is once again the Bethany Youth Group. As our youth continue their planning for this summer s Mission Trip, Bethany s goal is to assist them financially. This year s BYG Mission Trip will be Logan, West Virginia. BYG will have the opportunity to spend significant time building relationships in Logan by working at the same service site all week. Our Kids Club in Logan meets a real need in the community, as there are not many options for kids and teens during the summer months. YouthWorks service projects in Logan include minor home repair, painting, and yard work. In the evenings, visit Chief Logan State Park, experience an evening at the Delbarton Opry House, and enjoy a night of food and fellowship at a community cookout. YouthWorks has partnered with this community since th Anniversary for Bethany: Officially the anniversary celebrations ended on December 31, 2017, but some items take a little more planning and time. There are two outstanding items on our anniversary schedule. One is to complete the Commemorative Cookbook and the other is an Anniversary Directory. 1. In the case of the Commemorative Cookbook. Some things are completed. The basics have been done The menu and cooks for the January 14 th luncheon are still needed. The goal is to share foods from the planned book with the congregation on January 14 th and take advance orders for the cookbook. We still need more cooks so if you can help, contact the office and tell Ashley what you will be bringing. 2. We anticipate the Anniversary Directory for the Summer of Planning should begin after Easter. Watch for details as the snow melts. Submitted by, Anniversary Committee

5 Thank you to our December volunteers: We want to personally thank those who stepped up to help in our worship services during December. Christmas Program: Chris Franklin and all who helped put the children s program together Our Techies: Andy Franklin and his team, who all work quietly behind the scene and in front of the sound board to make all things run smoothly. Christmas Tree Team: Thank you, Dan Bock, and all those who helped raise (as in, lift up ) and decorate the trees. To those who decorated the church so beautifully. The Bethany Youth Ensemble: Rachel Krug - cello Brynn Krug - violin Airiana Mohr - flute Keyara Bailey - flute Olivia Lara - viola Logan Franklin - trumpet To the Advent candlelighters: Donovan and Gayle Wood Sandy Hewitt and Olivia and Madelyn Stephany Bock and Airiana and Alexis Lori, Terri and Keyara Pastor Dave and family In Tim Krug s absence on Dec 17 th : Logan Franklin, the Mike Man Speakers: Christine Franklin, Peder Carlson, Lori Mitchell Pastor Dave and his guitar Singers: Jerry Hewitt and Hope Fosler Childrens Service: Peder Carlson and his guest, Elmo Chimers: Thank you, Jack and Ruth Hoffman, for continuing this fantastic musical tradition of the chime choir for us. Our Christmas celebration would not be complete without the sound of chimes. Shofar: And a special thank you on the last day of the year to Logan Franklin for blowing the ancient ram s horn, the Shofar, to ring in the New Year and for Ella Franklin for explaining to us the significance. Thank you for a great finish to We Humbly Thank you, Pastor Dave, Marlys Marsh, and Tim Krug

6 THE THRIVING CHURCH SUNDAYS 9 AM FELLOWSHIP HALL The Church suddenly bursts in explosive growth. How? Come and find out. The coffee will be on! INTERESTED IN JOINING BETHANY? Maybe you used to be a member, or have been joining all along, but figure that now is the time to be a covenant partner. Sign up by calling the church office at We ll meet for a three Sunday noon luncheons. Parent Prayer Partners First Thursday of the Month 6:00 p.m. We meet the first Thursday of every month in the Prayer Room at 6:00 pm to pray for our adult children. Small Group: Sharing Faith Tuesday Nights 6:00-7:30p.m. Bring your own meal 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for fellowship. Study 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Master s Touch Ministry Are you or a loved one facing a health issue, impending surgery, death in the family, desiring communion at home or in the hospital? Bethany s Master s Touch Ministry provides home and hospital visits along with passionate prayer for those who are ill or who need support in times of distress. God has called us to serve Him to bring hope to those in need. For more information on serving with us, or receiving a blessing from Master s Touch, please contact one of the following: Pastor Dave at ; Sherry Zahorik at ; Gayle Wood at ; Lori Mitchell at ; Hope Fosler at ; or Dan Bock at

7 :00 Pray with Me 3. 10: :30-6:30pn: Julie 6:00 Parent Prayer Partners :30am: Fellowship 8. 7:00pm: Session Meeting :00 Pray with Me : :30-6:30pn: Julie Annual Meeting 11:30am: Luncheon / Fellowship 15. 7:00pm: Deacon Meeting :00 Pray with Me : :30-6:30pn: Julie :30am: Fellowship :00 Pray with Me : :30-6:30pn: Julie :30am: Fellowship :00 Pray with Me :00-