Mount Bethel Christian Church

“In Opinions liberty, in essentials unity, in all things love,”

“Meeting Needs Through Ministry”
NEWS FOR THE FAMILY OF GOD AT MOUNT BETHEL
Volume 31 Issue 5 May 2011

Church Staff From the preacher’s desk

Ron Marvel
Senior Minister
Can Anybody Hear me?
Joe Beal
Youth Minister
One day a woman was rushing home from a doctor’s appointment. The doctor
had been somewhat delayed at the hospital and the lab work took a little longer
Judith Randall than usual so by the time she left the clinic she was running quite a bit behind
Secretary scheduled. She still had to pick up her prescription, pick up the children from
the baby sitter, and get home and make supper, all in time to make it to prayer
Church Phone meeting at her church that evening. As she began to circle the busy Wal-Mart
(423) 257-4314 parking lot, looking for a space, the windows of heaven were opened, as it says
Minister Phone: in Genesis, and a downpour began. While she wasn’t usually the type to
(423) 895-0124 bother God with small problems, she began to pray as she turned down the
row closest to the front door. “Lord, you know what kind of a day I’ve had, and
E-mail Address there’s still an awful lot to do. Could you please grant me a parking space right
mbminister@ away, oh, and close to the building so I don’t get soaked.” The words weren’t
embarqmail.com even completely out of her mouth when she saw the backup lights of a car
come on at the end of the row. It was the best space in the whole parking lot,
E-mail Address right next to the handicap spots and straight out from the front door. She made
mbsecretary@ straight for it and as she pulled in, she said “never mind, God, something just
embarqmail.com opened up.”
Website:
www.mtbethelcc.com God is active and working in our lives all the time! He does so much for us that
we often take things for granted or don’t even acknowledge when he does
Services answer our prayers; or we think it was our abilities that brought our request to
Wednesday Night fruition. Take time to remember God’s goodness and the fact that there is
Services 7:00 PM evidence of it all around us. “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before
you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious
Sunday May 1 to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show
Board Meeting compassion.” (Exodus 33:19)
6:00 PM

May 19
WMS Preacher Ron
7:00 PM
Page 2 News For The Family of God Volume 31 Issue 5

Mt. Bethel Women’s Missionary society

May 19, 2011, 7:00 PM

Thank you to all who helped with the preparation of food, serving and clean-up for the Men’s Fellowship meal we had in
April. It was a great success. We served about 63 men and another 9 or so women. Look forward to doing it again next
year. Now for May, we have a birthday party May 11th at John M. Reed Nursing Home. The party starts at 2:00 p.m. If
you forgot what you are to being just ask and we will look it up. Our new officers for the coming year are actually the
same as the old ones. We are getting ready for another great year and could use some help. ANYONE of the ladies who
is not currently coming to the meeting we sure would love to have you come and join us.

President: Franceen Crowl Vice-President: Mona Norton Secretary: Karen Wrey

Treasurer: Charlotte Dockery

This month’s workers are:

Hostess: Franceen Crowl Program: Mona Norton Flowers: Phyllis Morris
Communion: Glenna Buckingham Baptism: Mary Lynn Chandley

May Birthdays
01 Sandra Fox 13 Brittney Berry 29 Debra Barkley
02 Paula Campbell 15 Bill Barkley 30 Mike Thompson
02 Taylor Campbell 19 Caleb Bradburn 31 Sandy Haynes
09 Jessica Rozer

May ANNIVERSARIES

Dale and Robin Phillips………………………………..……………………….. May 8

Toby and Natalie Waddle………………………………………………………. May 9
Keith and Linda Bowman………………………………………………………. May 9
Joe and Amy Massey…………………………………………………………… May 17
Bob and Carol Smith…………………………………………………………… May 18
Andy and Keri Simerly………………………………………………………… May 20
Patrick and Kim Trivette………………………………………………………. May 21
Harold and Sharon Thomas……………………………………………………. May 22

SHUT-IN COMMUNION
If you are unable to attend church and wish to have communion brought to your home, please contact one of the
Elders at Mt. Bethel Christian Church.

WASHINGTON COUNTY MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

The Washington County Men’s Fellowship will meet on May 10th at Hales Chapel Christian Church. Message by Mike
Luzadder “The Church Reaching the Next Generation.” The meal at 6:00 p.m. and the meeting is at 7:00 p.m.
Page 3 News For The Family of God Volume 33 Issue 5

Mother’s Day May 8th

MOTHER
Leile Garber
Spokane, Washington

Paint her as you see her, artist.

Let the lines and wrinkles show;
And the silver hair that crowns her,
Make it like a halo’s glow.

Can you picture on the canvas,

All the years of sacrifice,
How she tended all her household,
Ever counting not the price.

Let your brush tell the story

Of her patience, toil, and care.
Mingle love with joy and sorrow
Just as life has put them there.

Blend your colors softly, artist.

Face her toward the sun—
Smiling, calm, serene, and peaceful—
For her work is almost done.

Call the portrait simple Mother,

And the world will understand.
Nations thrive and emperors prosper
Guided by her gentle hand.
Page 4 News For The Family of God Volume 33 Issue 5

Events Coming Up!

Board Meeting - May 1st at 6:00 p.m.

No Simple Suppers: The kitchen crew will be taking a break for the months of May-August. We have
enjoyed serving you!

Youth
The Puppet Ministry will meet each Sunday night at 6:00 pm and each Wednesday night at 6:00 pm. Contact Dianna Haynes
at 638-5430 for more details. If you haven’t seen or heard of our Puppet Ministry at MBCC, here’s a little information for
you. All are welcome! Ages are so far from 4 years old to whomever wants to come. We are having lots of fun!!! The 8 year
olds and under are called God’s Little Tweets. Devyn Haynes is teaching the class. They learn songs and have a Little
Puppets to use on their hand. The older ones have their own puppet which they take home and practice with. Hope you come
and join the fun!!! Dianna Haynes

Clean-up Day May 21st 9:00 a.m. – See Charles Barkley or Ron Marvel.

May 22nd 5th Sunday Worship –If anyone is interested in participating see Ron Marvel

Graduation Sunday is set for Sunday, May 22nd

May 28th Decoration Day

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is just around the corner. Our theme this year is
Pandamania…where God is wild about you! VBS will be each Wednesday night in the
month of June. Listen for dates and time. If you are willing to help with VBS please see Becky Rollins, Ron
Marvel or Beth Berry.

IT’S A BABY SHOWER

For: Meghan Surgenor (daughter of Lori and Rodney Farmer and Jason
When: Saturday, June 25th @ 1:00 p.m.
Where: Mt. Bethel Fellowship Hall
Who: All ladies are invited

It’s a BOY and the nursery is decorated with little lambs using blue and tan. They are registered at Target.

BEAL SEND OFF

Joe, Bridget and Sonya’s last Sunday with us will be May 22. We want to give them a send-off that only Mt. Bethel is
famous for. (even though it will be bittersweet) So plan to bring your favorite dishes for a carry-in dinner immediately
following worship services that morning. Since Joe is graduating and this Sunday will be our Graduation Sunday as well,
we will celebrate with a cake for all our graduates. Invite your families. Come and fellowship and encourage one
another!
Stay connected to our youth programs through the net!! www.mtbethelcc.com/mbcc/youth
Page 5 News For The Family of God Volume 33 Issue 5

Graduation Sunday May 22

CELEBRATING MILESTONES WITH OUR FAMILY AT MT. BETHEL

Our Kindergarten Graduates:
Wesley Eugene Bowers attends West View School. He is the son of Becky Rollins.
Emma Grace Waddle attends West View School. She is the daughter of Toby and Natalie Waddle.
Ella Marvel attends West Side School in Elizabethton. She is the daughter of Ron and Melissa Marvel.
Both Wesley and Emma will graduate from Kindergarten on May 19, 2011.

Our Eighth Grade Graduates:

From Chuckey Doak Middle School
Madison Campbell is the daughter of Gary and Paula Campbell.
Hunter Cobble is the son of Alan and Karen Cobble.
Jacob Thompson is the son of Mike and Dell Thompson
Madison, Hunter and Jacob will attend Chuckey Doak High School.

From Grandview School:

Isaac Barkley is the son of Ron and Melanie Barkley.

From West View School:

William Seth Campbell is the son of Alan and Debra Campbell.
Jacob Ryan Phillips is the son of Dale and Robin Phillips.
Sarah Grace Vogt is the daughter of Will and Charity Vogt.
Isaac, Seth, Ryan and Sarah will attend David Crockett High School.

Our High School Graduate:

Megan Young will graduate from Chuckey Doak High School on May 13, 2011.

College Graduates:
Brittney Berry will graduate from Walters State Community College and will receive an A.A.S with a
concentration in Agriculture Business.

Graduate Degrees:
Adam Strachn will receive his Master of Accounting (MACC) from East Tennessee State University.

Emanuel School of Religion will never be the same and neither will Mt. Bethel because of Joe Beal. He will
receive his Masters of Arts in Religion; New Testament Studies, Biblical Languages. He is graduating cum
laude.

TO OUR GRADUATES:
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. (Numbers
6:24, 25)

We wish you every success in the future and praying for God’s guidance and blessing on your life. We are
proud of all of you and we love you!

Your family at Mt. Bethel.

Mount Bethel Christian Church
361 Clear Springs Road
Limestone, TN 37681

Sunday
Sunday School 9:30 AM
Morning Worship 10:30 AM
Evening Worship 7:00 PM

Wednesday Night
Services 6:00 PM
Youth & Adult 7:00 PM
Elective Classes

may Newsletter

TO WHOM DO WE TURN?
As we look around us, read the news, or check out the latest on the internet, we see trouble at every hand. Our
country is in trouble. The economy is bad and many are without jobs. A number of countries are in the midst
of civil war. Riots are in the streets and fires are burning out of control. We live in scary times!! There is no
doubt that the calm we desire is hard to find. But who do we turn to when things get out of hand and problems
lie in all directions. Why are we even in this predicament? Who can help us out? To whom do we turn?

If you read the news, the answer would be simple. The government has the responsibility to take care of you,
feed you and defend you. They are the ones you are suppose to depend on. They want to make sure everyone
is devoted to them so they keep you dependent on them. Handouts and regulations, now that should do it. But
as we have seen over and over again it just makes things worse. What are we to think, and to whom shall we
go?

There is only one answer to this dilemma. We are in this predicament because of sin. Mankind has turned their
backs on the Living God and gone their own way. The answer to the problem is simple--RETURN to the
LORD—all God’s people. In Hosea’s time, God warned the people through His mighty prophet top come back
to Him. In Chapter 14 of Hosea we have the answer that we need. “Return to the Lord your God, people of
Israel. Your sin has made you stumble and fall. Return to the Lord, and let this prayer be your offering to Him:
Assyria can never save us, and war horses cannot protect us. We will never again say to our idols that they are
our God. O LORD, you show mercy to those who have no one else to turn to.” We could replace the word
Assyria with the government or anything that takes our focus away from God. After this verse, God promises
to Love them with all HIS heart, protect them, take care of them and answer their prayer. He was talking to
Israel, but I think it is the same for His people the church.

Hosea concludes with the words, “May those who are wise understand what is written here, and may they take
it to heart. The LORD’S ways are right, and righteous people live by following them, but sinners stumble and
fall because they ignore them.”

Franceen