Bethany Community Church, 201 Birch Avenue, Grandview, Washington November, 2017 International Day of Prayer This article is borrowed from Breakpoint.org, a ministry started by the late Chuck Colsen. On a sunny day last May, several families climbed onto a couple of buses, happily looking forward to visiting a monastery together. They never made it. Instead, half of them, including ten children, were slaughtered. You see, these families were Egyptian Christians. Islamic terrorists dressed in military fatigues stopped the buses and ordered the riders off. As one eyewitness later said, As each pilgrim came off the bus, they were asked to renounce their Christian faith and profess belief in Islam. But all of them even the children refused. The terrorists murdered 29 Christians before fleeing. This Sunday, November 5, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It s a time to focus our attention on our brothers and sisters who are being arrested, tortured, murdered, and driven out of their homeland, simply because they worship Jesus. The attack in Egypt was just one of many around the world last spring. In Germany, a Muslim stabbed a woman to death one who had converted from Islam to Christianity. In Pakistan, a Christian pastor was sentenced to life in prison and tortured for blasphemy. He reportedly has been tortured many times. In North Korea, entire families are thrown into labor camps, where they often die from torture, beatings, and starvation. In Turkey last year, American missionary Andrew Brunson was locked up on the absurd grounds that he was a terrorist. Islamists have also swept through Niger, setting fire to Christian churches, orphanages, schools and homes. According to Open Doors USA, the worst offenders are North Korea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan. Sometimes Christians are persecuted by a hostile government, as in China. But in the majority of countries, Islamist extremists are at fault. Tragically, western governments and the United Nations are not doing enough to prevent genocidal efforts, according to the Catholic News Agency. They should and they must. More Christians are being persecuted today than ever before in history. Some one hundred million believers are at risk. And yet, the world press largely ignores this massive humanitarian horror. Why, you may ask, are Christians being persecuted in such great numbers today? In part, it s because they re considered part of the imperial West. And in many countries, Christians are the ones who are speaking out against the exploitation of the poor. Third, Christianity is spreading rapidly in predominantly Muslim countries. And totalitarian leaders hate Christians because our ultimate allegiance is always going to be to God and not to a government. Finally, writes Laura McAlister on the blog site Ignitum Today, the hidden reality behind all persecution is revealed in the book of Revelation: It teaches that Satan makes war on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus.
Folks, we need to wake up, speak out, and urge our leaders in government to do what it can to fight atrocities committed against innocent men, women, and children around the world. Above all, we need to pray for them fervently. Lifting them up before God s throne is what persecuted Christians say they need most. Finally, to those who are suffering for their faith, the words of Joshua apply: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. WORSHIP HELPERS OCTOBER, 2017 Lay Assistants 11/5 Lorri Dillman 11/12 Barbara Olmstead 11/19 Maxine Ballinger 11/26 Alix Carlson Ushers 11/5 Sue Johnson and Carolyn Bren 11/12 Gretchen Lange & Lorri Dillman 11/19 Jean Eakin & Greeters 11/5 Dave & Maxine Ballinger 11/12 Trish & Mark Drollinger 11/19 Linda Clark & Mark Longfellow Rene Martinez & family The Youth Ministries of Bethany Community Churc 11/26 Fela & Refugio 11/26 Jim & Judy Rice Lara Mission Moment from your Elders Communion Servers 11/5/17 Janet White, Nancy Kragt, Jean Eakin and Mark Longfellow Praise Team Leader- November Gretchen Lange The roofline here at our Bethany Community Church is majestic but those amazing peaks and valleys came with a cost. When it rained or snowed, water gathered in all kinds of places. The results could be seen all over the church buckets in the foyer, covers over the copy machine. Over the years we have done many partial roof replacements and repairs, but they have never really eliminated the problem. After this winter s record snowfall, we not only had major damage to the men s and women s restrooms on the main floor, the roof continued to leak. I am only one of three Bethany trustees the others are Kathy Ellertson and Dave Ballinger. Last winter we trustees met with the insurance company to set a time for the adjustor to inspect the damage. But then Barbara and I got in our motorhome and headed for the warmth of Arizona. Meanwhile, raindrops were falling on your heads outside, and in the restrooms, and even over the back church door. When we made it home in May, Dave and Kathy had gone through a lot of coordinating -- meetings with the adjustors, estimates, fire inspections and developing a number of options from minimal repair to a complete roof redo. My initial reaction was, let s go with the minimal and save our reserves for future needs. But the Session and Pastor Mike felt it was time to take this opportunity to fix the entire roof once and for all. So we voted to do it.that replacement took most of our reserves, but it also made me realize that the reason we had such good reserve funds was because of so many of you are doing so much for Bethany, and our paid staff are doing it so reasonably, that we have been in good shape financially. That also brings me to this place thanking all who have been loyal supporters of Bethany. But I am also asking those of us who have the financial ability to keep contributing towards the future, so we can continue with our staff and programs. If you have any questions, you can call or visit with me, or trustees Kathy and Dave. Don Olmstead, Trustee
SAY GOODBYE TO THE 60s!!! Linda Clark is turning 70! Help us celebrate November 19 th after church. We will be hosting a cake and coffee celebration! Your friendship and attendance are the perfect gift. No gifts please. GRANDVIEW COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE 6:00 p.m. Sunday, November 19 Church of Christ, 116 Fir St., Grandview Sponsored by Grandview Ministerial Assn. FELLOWSHIP GROUP November 17, 6:30 p.m. will be the meeting date for November. We will meet in the Fireside Room. Please bring your assigned food. If you have any questions, please call Joanie or Jean in the office. Thanks. A BIG THANK YOU A big thank you to the men and women who helped me move to Amber Hills. The move has been a blessing and I am adjusting and enjoying my new home. Dorothy Johnson To: Bethany Community Church Thank you so much for your generous support. Your support allows me to send students across the world and plant churches to spread the gospel, Katelyn Clinton, THANK YOU Sue Johnson and Trish Drollinger Thank you for your many hours spent cleaning and reorganizing the Children s Church room (formerly the Preschool room). Personally, I know you have given a lot of effort for this project. SESSION MEETING November 5 Ministry Teams will meet at 6:00 p.m. Session will meet at 6:30 p.m. The Trustees request Committee Chairmen to bring budget proposals for 2018.
CHILDREN S CHURCH for children CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES Ages 4 to 4 th grade. Teachers will be using Hands-On Worship. SUNDAY SCHOOL children will be having lessons from Hands-On Bible led by Maxine Ballinger. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL Adults have begun a new study/video By Matt Chandler: TO LIVE IS CHRIST TO DIE IS GAIN and led by Terry Dahlstrom. TO LIVE IS CHRIST TO DIE IS GAIN MATT CHANDLER C.E. is looking for a person to be responsible for the nursery. Please express your interest to Sue Johnson.
SCOUTING NEWS- from Ray Vining The cub scouts and boy scouts continue to be thankful for the support of the Bethany Community Church. What has been happening in scouts? The cub pack is alive and growing. The boy scouts have remained a strong and viable group. This summer two patrols of the Boy Scouts attended Camp Easton for a week. Scouts paddled a war canoe across Coeur d'alene lake, earned numerous merit badges and each patrol brought home top honors for participation in camp activities. Lately the scouts have paddled a 50 mile stretch of the Columbia River, and did a weekend camp trip to the Pot Holes area. During Grandview's Community Day of Service, scouts from T643 helped paint the museum's shipping container...a big job.you may have heard scouting is changing. In 2018 girls can become cub scouts and in 2018 may enter into Scouts. We look forward to this change as troop leadership has been promoting scouting as a family activity for years. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are both meeting here on Tuesday evenings. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan s Purse; an international Christian relief and evangelism effort headed by Franklin Graham. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Gift suggestions include: A Wow item, personal care items, clothing and accessories, crafts, toys, a personal note. Do not include: candy, toothpaste, war-related items such as guns, knives, or military figures, chocolate or food, seeds, fruit rolls or other fruit snacks, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items, or aerosol cans. Shoeboxes will be available at the back of the sanctuary. Check the table with supplies in the back of the sanctuary. Please start packing your shoeboxes and bring them to the church. Be sure to mark shoeboxes with age group and male/female. If you have questions, please ask Janet White. Thanks and God bless you.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 1 Mike Drollinger 29 Randy & Lorri Dillman 2 Laynee Olmstead 3 Terry Dahlstrom 9 Jean Eakin 10 Carl Olmstead 10 Janet White 20 Linda Clark 21 Kaleb Garcia 29 Bob Fortune 30 Pat Boswell
NOVEMBER, 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 6:00pm Potluck & Small Groups 5:30 pm-8:00 Engage 2 8:00a.m. Prayer team 3:30-5:00 pm Praying Circles 3 4 5 9:00 Suday School 10:00 a.m. Worship and Communion Daylight time ENDS 6 6:pm Team Meetings 6:30 Session 7 8 a.m. Souders Men s Bible Study 8 6:00 pm Potluck & Small groups 5:30 pm-8:00 Engage 9 8:00a.m. Prayer team 3:30-5:00 pm Praying Circles 10 Veterans Day Holiday Office closed 11 VETERANS DAY 12 9:00 Suday School 10:00 a.m. Worship 13 14 8 a.m. Souders Men s Bible Study 15 6:00 pm Potluck & Small groups 5:30 pm-8:00 Engage 16 8:00a.m. Prayer team 3:30-5:00 pm Praying Circles 17 6:30 Fellowship group Fireside Room 18 19 9:00 Suday School 10:00 a.m. Worship 20 21 8 a.m. Souders Men s Bible Study 22 23 THANKS- GIVING Office Closed 24 Office Closed 25 26 9:00 Suday School 10:00 a.m. Worship 27 28 8 a.m. Souders Men s Bible Study 29 6:00 pm Potluck & Small groups 5:30 pm-8:00 Engage 30 8:00a.m. Prayer team 3:30-5:00 pm Praying Circles