New Bethel Church · 2010. 7. 9. · Sunday School & VBS News The last day of Sunday school is June...

New Bethel ChurchJuly/August 2011

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New Bethel ChurchJuly/August 2011 Newsletter

Pastor’s Ponderings

July 4th thoughts:

French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said, "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"

Have a happy and blessed Independence day!

Pastor Dave

Please send all September 2011 newsletter info to Sara Walter ([email protected]) by AUGUST 26th. Thanks!

Outdoor ServiceBring your lawn chairs for the Outdoor Service

On Sunday July 31, if the weather is nice, we'll be worshipping outside. Pastor Dave points out how many people ask on a hot day, 'can we hold worship outside?' Worship committee decided to give it a try. If the weather is bad, we'll be inside; but if it's sunny and hot we'll set up on the north, shady side of the church, also using the cement area in front of the church. Please bring a lawn chair. Let's worship the Lord in the beauty of nature.

mailto:[email protected]


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New Youth and Community OpportunitiesSee Barb Dieter if interested.

Want to be in a band?Do you Like Christian music? Do you play an instrument? Then New Bethel church wants You! New Bethel church is creating a bank where teens and kids “at heart” can play their instruments and create a celebration of God’s love, grace, and understanding. Friday nights will be a musical marvel at New Bethel church! You can rock from 6pm to 8pm at PJ Place. You do not have to be a member of New Bethel church to join or “hang-out”. If Friday doesn't work we'll find another night.Come have some fun, play some music, and enjoy the benefits God sets before us!

Bridging the GenerationsBridging Seniors and youngsters- growing across the generations. We will all get to know our congregation better while helping our youngster's writing and public speaking skills. We will match any senior a with an ULTRAS student. The ULTRAS student will interview the “senior” and get to know them over a several month period and then present the life story of their new friend during worship. Both the ULTRAS student and the senior will make a new friend, learn about a different generation and receive a small gift from the congregation.

Short NotesWe now have available assisted listening devices for those who are hard of hearing. If you could benefit from one, they can be found in the basket on the front balcony pew.

If you're not taking your bulletin home, please recycle it in the basket in the narthex.

Pastoral ActsBaptism: May 29, 2011 Griffin Richard Bond, son of Whitney Lee Ricketts Bond and Aaron Richard Bond


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Crosswalk 2011- Wildwood"Peace, War, and Jesus" August 11 to 14.

It's not just fun down the shore! Service, education and more!

Retreat, education and serviceCrosswalk will be discovering ways to use their faith as a motivator to do good things in the world in God's name. In order to practice that, our retreat this year will include two service projects.We will also study the relationship of peace, war and our Christian faith. See below for more details.

The Wetlands Institute: Service Project Site:

We'll be at the Wetlands Institute on Thursday

Founded in 1969 by Herbert Mills, Executive Director of the World Wildlife Fund, the Wetlands Institute is a not-for-profit organization promoting appreciation of wetlands and coastal ecosystems.Located in Middle Township near Stone Harbor and historic Cape May, the Wetlands Institute is uniquely housed in a cedar shake building designed to resemble a turn-of-the-century coast guard station.Situated overlooking 6,000 acres of pristine coastal wetlands, the Institute hosts over 40,000 visitors each year. Here, visitors can learn the exciting facts about life in the salt marsh environment. Throughout the year, many species of birds can be seen from our viewing areas.Atlantic City Rescue Mission: Service Project Site

We will once again prepare and serve a lunch there on the Friday we'll in in NJ. .Today ACRM helps over 3,300 homeless and working poor people per year and is the largest provider of comprehensive services to about 20% of the entire state of New Jersey’s homeless population. ACRM is also unique in that it serves unsubsidized clients.ACRM's budget has increased 33% over the last five years as we added programs and staff members to meet the increase in the number of people requesting help. In 2008, ACRM provided services to 2,312 men, 728 women, and 79 families with 146 children. ACRM served 260,376 meals in the dining hall and 100,404 meals in food baskets. In addition, 98,894 beds were filled, an average of 270 per night.

Education:Crosswalk is not just going to the AC Rescue Mission, but will visit an Atlantic City church to hear about the challenges of ministry in Atlantic City, and then get a tour of the neighborhood around the church and visit the Atlantic City boardwalk! Also as part of our study and discussion about Peace War and Jesus Crosswalk be talking to a war veteran about his combat experience and visit two World War II historic sights- a fire (lookout tower) and a military bunker that were used to guard the east coast from the German navy. We'll be taping, on the Boardwalk our theme skit, "Hippie Jesus."We've tried to create the perfect balance of free time, service and study; and plenty of time for fellowship and fun!


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250th AnniversaryIn April 1761, the New Bethel Church Charter was signed and New Bethel Church was born. This is New Bethel's 250th anniversary year. Events in the Spring and Fall will be planned to commemorate this important anniversary. Jon Bond is forming a committee and gathering ideas. If you'd like to be a part please see Jon.

Nursery Would you like to have your 0-5 year old enjoy fun, structured activities while you enjoy worship? New Bethel has created a nursery during worship as a free option for parents. Children are always welcome in worship, but if you chose, the nursery will be available after the children’s sermon, every Sunday downstairs in the Sunday School area. To volunteer to help out with the nursery, please see the information posted in the bulletin board.

Collecting Email AddressesIn an effort to perhaps cut costs by sending out items electronically, instead of by US mail, the Joint Board is asking for your email address. Please send the address to [email protected]. We will put together an e-mailing list of those who wish to be sent information electronically. Please put “collecting” in the subject line.


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New Preschool Language Classes

The Preschool Language Classes in Spanish and Pennsylvania Dutch have expanded to four mornings a week! If you have a child that you'd like to enroll in one of these classes, or if you want more information, stop by during or before class time and speak to a teacher. Things get going at about 9:30AM. Also the Pennsylvania Dutch teacher is looking for native Dutch speakers to assist in her class. If you'd like to help our youngest generation to discover our rich local language and culture, see Pastor Dave or Tina Gammons.

Summer Group Sunday SchoolThis summer we will have all-age group Sunday School sessions June 26, July 24, and August 28 from 10:15 to 11:15am.

Kid’s Night Out

Bring your children to New Bethel this summer the evenings of August 3rd and August 17th for a great “Kids’ Night Out!” We’ll learn why a Godly attitude is a winning attitude while we share a Bible lesson, enjoy a craft, a light snack, a memory verse, and a fantastically fun surprise activity at the end of each night!

Who: Any children from Preschool age through 5th gradeWhat: Season #1 “Goditutes” Attitude is everything!Where: New Bethel ChurchWhy: Because we love the Lord & we’ll have a blast!

Contact Abby Claypoole at 610-756-4261 or [email protected] for more info.

mailto:[email protected]


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New Bethel Youth News

Sunday School & VBS News

The last day of Sunday school is June 5th with awards and a covered dish picnic! All are invited to this end of the year celebration! Also a special VBS preview. Pandamania!

It's a wonderful week with wonderful songs and crafts and Bible lessons. The kids will learn all about Pandas and the Bamboo jungle where they live. We'll have special bandanas, Panda ears, Tree top treats, and Bamboo Blast Games. The kids will discover that God is wild about them. It will be a blast. And you will meet Pete the Panda, who isn't a real Panda.

Come into the Bamboo Jungle at our very own New Bethel Church on July 11 to 15 form 6:00 - 8:00PM and find out. We'll be sharing our VBS with our friends at Friedens Church.

See the registration form in this newsletter for more information.

Congratulations to the following young people who successfully completed confirmation instruction and were confirmed on Pentecost Sunday. Reuben Zettlemoyer, Bradyn Lutz, Darryl "DJ" Dieter, and Leah Dietrich. God's blessings to our confirmands!

Don't forget Your Summer offerings!

If the New Bethel Church family gives consistently, on a weekly or other regular schedule, then we believe much of the "summer slump" will be avoided. Please continue your regular and consistent support as we do the Lord's work and spread his love in our community. We of course hope to see you! But if you are not in church because of vacation or other reasons, please mail in your offerings. All you need do is enclose your offering, put a stamp on the envelope and put it in the mail.


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We are looking for donations of baked goods for the July 17 and August 21 Takeout Dinners here at New Bethel Church. The baked goods may be brought to the church on Saturday July 16 and August 20 from 8:30A to 10:30A. We will also be prepping for each Sunday event during this time. We greatly appreciate your consideration in giving of your time and baking talent for a successful fundraiser. Contact Margie Hamm 610-298-2451 with any questions.

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We will not be worshipping at New Bethel on July 3rd, rather we'll gather at the Kutztown Folk Festival for Worship:

FAQS:

What time is worship? 10:30AM

The Coupons: When the last Newsletter was written, we were informed that coupons were not required this year. That has changed. Please use the coupons found in this newsletter, in the church bulletin and on the bulletin board next to the women's room.

How do I attend worship? If you are attending worship you will be admitted to the festival through the main gate for only $5.00 with the coupon. If you leave right after worship, you will receive your $5.00 back. Otherwise, stay and enjoy the festival for a big discount over the normal $12.00 fee. Children 12 and under are free, as they are at other times.

Who else is participating? On July 3rd we will be sharing worship with St. Pauls UCC and St. John's UCC in Kutztown and will worship using a service reminiscent of Reformed worship services from the late 1800's. Our Chimechoir will perform as well as the St. John's UCC Bell Choir and our choir will be part of a combined choir. Pastor Dave will preach and Pastor Sue Marie Baskette, the new Pastor at St. John's will lead the liturgy.

What about the Offering? Offerings collected in church envelopes will be given to those churches at the conclusion of worship. Loose offerings will be given to Friend Inc.

July 3rd Worship at the Kutztown Folk Festival


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Upcoming DatesSunday, July 3rd, 10:30amWorship at the Kutztown Folk FestivalJuly 11-15th, 6:00pmPandamania VBSSunday, July 17thChicken Fundaiser and Crosswalk Car WashSunday, July 24th

Summer Sunday School after worship: Baby Moses in the Bullrushes (Water Fun!)Tuesday, July 26th, 7:00pmConsistorySunday, July 31st

Outdoor Worship and Lemonade Social after worshipMonday, August 1st, 7:00pmJoint Board Wednesday, August 3rd, 6:00pmKids Night Out Sunday August 7th

CommunionWednesday, August 10th to Sunday, August 14th

Crosswalk in WildwoodSunday, August 14th

Pastor Paul Spohn PreachingWednesday, August 17th

Kids Night Out - 6:00PMSunday, August 21st

Pork Barbeque Fundraiser.Sunday, August 28th

Lemonade Social and Harvest Home- Please bring produce, canned and dry goods for Teen Challenge. Summer Sunday School after Worship: John Baptizes Jesus (Water Fun!)Sunday, September 11th

1st Day of Sunday School (10:15am), Nominations for Sunday School officers dueSunday, September 18th

Sunday School election of officers

HAPPENINGS


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New Bethel Social Networkshttp://newbethelchurchkempton.wordpress.com/

Newsletter and Social Media CoordinatorHave news to share? Send it to Sara Walter. You can contact her at: [email protected] or 484-788-5781. All social media and newsletters created in Washington, DC!

If you are in the hospital…Privacy rules are in place in our area hospitals and it is important that these are known if you want Pastor Dave to visit you while you are in the hospital.

Lehigh Valley Medical Center: When you are admitted make sure to fill out a form divulging your church membership. The following codes will make the process easier: UCC Congregation 457 and Lutheran Congregation 274. If your name is identified with one of those code numbers when the Pastor calls, the pastoral care office will tell him you are in the hospital. These forms must be filled out every time you are admitted. Your congregational identification does not carry over from previous hospital stays. Also, please have a family member or friend call the church office or Pastor's home when you are admitted, 610-756-6589 or 610-944-5819. No one from the hospital will call the church indicating that you are a patient.

Reading Hospital: A volunteer will call the church office if you identify yourself as a member of New Bethel Church. Hospital codes are UCC Congregation 799 and Lutheran Congregation 495. At times this process takes a while. It is best if you or a family member call 610-756-6589 or 610-944-5819.


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Attendance:UCC Pastor Blitch LutheranTim Kleinsmith Joanne WaidelichKim Lutz Dan WalterMarjorie HammRuthann Lutz

Tim Kleinsmith called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. Pastor Blitch opened with a prayer.The minutes were read and approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Reference written report. The Pastor asked where the profits from the chicken and pork sales would be allocated. It was decided they would go into the Joint Board accounts under other sources of income. The minutes were then approved by Joanne Waidelich and seconded by Marge Hamm.

Pastor’s Report: Mayfest:

Mayfest was on Saturday May 7th, 2011. The weather was less than favorable. The Mayfestcommittee did come out with a $900.00 profit. Tim Kleinsmith commented on the wonderful volunteers and positive events of the day. They reimbursed the board for the start up costs and will hold onto to the rest for the 2012 Mayfest.

Wildwood Trip:The Pastor thought it would be a good idea to have a car wash to coincide with the pulled pork sandwich sale on July 17th. The proceeds for the car wash would go towards the Crosswalks trip to Wildwood. The board agreed.

Confirmation Sunday:There will four 8th graders getting confirmed on Sunday June 12th, 2012.We will be welcoming Reuben Zettlemoyer, Bradyn Lutz, Darryl Dieter, and Leah Dietrich as the newest members of the adult congregation.

Continued on next page….

New Bethel Union ChurchJoint Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, June 6th 20117:00 PM New Bethel Church Social Room


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Safe Congregation: We will be organizing a committee to draw up a Safe Congregation Program. They will draft a policy which will have adult requirements and clearances when dealing with minors. Marge Hamm and Joanne Waidelich offered to help with putting this together. The Pastor will be contacting a few more people to join this committee.Old Business:

Federation discussion:Kim Lutz and Ruthann Lutz gave the board an update and time table on the Federation process. The board also reviewed a written report from the lawyers. The board agreed to the time table and a motion was made to continue with the process. Dan Walter made the motion and Joanne Waidelich seconded.

New Business:Property:Tim Kleinsmith stated that we need to replace the flashing on the windows of the fire tower. We also need to make the stairway to the basement on the outside of the church child safe. Hopefully these things will both be completed by August.250th Anniversary:Donations will be accepted in memorial or in honor of family members/ special occasions for the 250th anniversary. A flier will be forthcoming with more information.The next meeting: August 1, 2011Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Joanne Waidelich

New Bethel Union ChurchJoint Board Meeting Minutes, Ctd.

Monday, June 6th 20117:00 PM New Bethel Church Social Room


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Federation Update

The Joint Board and the constitution committee are working this Spring and Summer to present to you this fall the opportunity to vote on whether New Bethel Church should be a federated congregation.

This Spring we met with a lawyer that has done federation work for other congregations. He was highly recommended by both the conference and synod. He provided for us invaluable free information that has set a direction for the Joint Board and constitution committee. Also the constitution committee has done some research on determining what deeds comprise the New Bethel Church property and have asked the consistory and council to develop a report that will identify the assets of the UCC and Lutheran Congregations. If the vote for federation is approved, these documents and information will be needed for the legal aspect of the merger of the two congregations.

The constitution committee has also been working on the new constitution and resolutions needed for federation. In September these documents will be made available to the congregations and a series of question and answer/discussion forums will be scheduled. The Joint Board wants to insure that the congregation is well informed about federation and any questions are answered before a vote is taken. Also estimated costs of the federation process, lawyers feess, filing fees and the like, will be approved when the federation vote is taken.

More detailed information will be coming in the September newsletter.


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New Bethel ChurchJune 2011 Newsletter

Summer Book Club: Once again we're giving you a choice!! Come to church and vote on which book you'd rather study. Excerpts from both books are available on the bulletin board.

Heaven is for Real!By Todd Burpo

A young boy emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkablestories of his visit to heaven.

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgeryslips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives andbegins talking about being able to look down and see thedoctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon theevidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had toldhim about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years beforeColton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each.He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how"reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit"shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, thedisarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.

Continued on next page…


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New Bethel ChurchJune 2011 Newsletter

Summer Book Club, Ctd.:

Love Wins. By Rob Bell

“Claiming that some versions of Jesus should be rejected,particularly those used to intimidate and inspire fear orhatred, Bell persuasively interprets the Bible as a messageof love and redemption. . . . His style is characteristicallyconcise and oral, his tone passionate and unabashedlypositive.” (Publishers Weekly )

“It isn’t easy to develop a biblical imagination that takesin the comprehensive and eternal work of Christ . . . Rob Bell goes a long way in helping us acquire just such animagination--without a trace of soft sentimentality andwithout compromising an inch of evangelical conviction.” (Eugene H. Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology,Regent College, and author of The Message and The Pastor )

“A bold, prophetic and poetic masterpiece. I don’t know any writer who expresses the inexpressible love of God aspowerfully and as beautifully as Rob Bell! No one who seriously engages this book will put it down unchanged.A ‘must read’ book!” (Greg Boyd, senior pastor at Woodland Hills Church and author of The Myth of a Christian Nation )

“In Love Wins, Rob Bell tackles the old heaven-and-hell question and offers a courageous alternative answer. Thousands of readers will find freedom and hope and a new way of understanding the biblical story - from beginning to end.” (Brian D. McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christianity and Naked Spirituality )

“Bell fights every impulse in our culture to domesticate Jesus *and+ challenges the reader to be open to surprise, mystery and all of the unanswerables. . . . Bell has given theologically suspicious Christians new courage to bet their life on Jesus Christ.” (Christian Century )

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