2

2014

The Year of

Prayer

In January 2014

we will begin a

year-long focus on

prayer. Look for

our Feb/March

special edition

newsletter with

details, resources,

and more. In the

meantime, check

out a book at our

Library. We

recommend

“Don’t Just Stand

There, Pray

Something!”

By Janice Butterworth That’s a Lot of Drywall!

O ur second annual chicken BBQ/ flea & craft market was held on Saturday, Sep-

tember 28. Our goal was to relationally engage our community and to demonstrate

BUMC’s commitment to the love of Christ through our service to others. Making a few

bucks to support our service organizations would be OK too!

So how did we do? We were blessed with spectacular weather that made the day extra

special. Thirty vendors, including the Thornton Village Farmer’s Market, participated in

our flea market, providing a steady stream of customers for our own white elephant table

and the BBQ itself. By the end of the day, we had met our sales goal of 300 chicken

dinners, sold out the bake table, and introduced many of our neighbors to the welcoming

grounds and friendly faces of BUMC. Information about the service organizations:

Hands on Homes, Good Works, and UMCOR, were displayed on all the dining tables in

Agan Hall, while a continuous loop photo journal of BUMC members at work ran on the

large screen TV. As our guests entered the church, they were invited to enter a drawing

to win a beautiful watercolor painted by Beverly Dietz. From the entries, we estimate

that about 150 (50%) of the diners were not from the church, many visiting for the first

time. One visitor commented while waiting in the sanctuary for his take-out chicken

“I’ve always wanted to come inside this church, I’ve been by here so many times…”

The painting, incidentally, was won by long time Thornton resident, Barbara Nichols.

We feel that we were successful in engaging the community in participating with us to

support our service organizations as evidenced by the excellent attendance and sales in

all areas of the event. As for the money, we collected over $3,000 from all areas of the

event after expenses. This will buy a lot of drywall and nails!

I am sometimes asked a question that

actually will provide a good

“roll-out” as we approach and enter the

New Year: What, if anything, is the

difference between a vision statement

and a mission statement? As you look

at BUMC’s vision statement, you can see

that it helps define WHO God has called

us to BE: “We are an authentic Christian

community, which is radically loving,

outwardly focused, and grace giving.”

Who are we then? The vision tells us we

are authentic (transparent, real, sincere)

and Christian (followers of Jesus Christ,

not Buddha or Krishna) and a community

(the people of God, the Body of Christ, a

family of faith), and loving (toward all

people, radically so!), and outwardly

focused (we reach beyond our walls to folks

in our families and neighborhoods and

schools and workplaces in order to share

the good news of Jesus, and to show it by

being caring and helpful), and grace giving

(as we have received the grace of Christ,

we in turn extend it to others by being

accepting, compassionate, and

understanding).

The Pastor’s Cornered! Answering Your Toughest Questions of Faith

by Pastor Tim Kriebel

continued on page 5

Clip n’ Keep Calendar

Sunday, December 1

Communion at all Services

Saturday, December 7: 9:00 AM to Noon

Women’s Ministry Christmas Brunch:

Friday, Saturday & Sunday,

December 13, 14 &15: 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Christmas at Bethlehem

Saturday, December 21: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Good Works

Sunday, December 22: 6:00 PM

Christmas Caroling

Tuesday, December 24

Christmas Eve Services

7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 PM

Wednesday & Thursday, December 25 &26

Merry Christmas!

Offices Closed

Wednesday, January 1

Offices Closed

Sunday, January 5

Communion Sunday

Friday, January 10: 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Family Fun Night

Saturday, January 11: 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Kenya Kick-off Dinner

Saturday, January 18

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Good Works

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM - Staff Appreciation Dinner

Monday, January 20 thru Sunday, January 26

Catch the Fire Toronto Conference

Every Sunday except holidays

Prayer meeting in Sanctuary

Soaking Prayer, 5:30-6:00pm

Intercessory Prayer, 6:00-7:00pm

Check out our Google Calendar at

www.bethmeth.com.

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The Star of Bethlehem: A compelling movie from

producer Stephen McEveety (The Passion of the

Christ), examines scripture, ancient writings, indisputable astronomical facts and more.

An Invitation to Christmas: Evangelical Pastor, Andy Stanley, uses a few colorful characters to

remind us from whom Jesus came and to explain the importance of their roles in the Christmas story.

What If Jesus Had Never Been Born: This captivating documentary, filmed on location in North America, Europe, South America, and India, presents overwhelming evidence of the tremendous positive

impact that Jesus and His Church have made on civilization.

Simply Sense-Sational Film Festival December 1 thru December 29 9:30 AM in Turner Lounge

Church Directory During the month of January the office

staff will be preparing the latest edition of the church

directory. Please check the rough draft that is posted in

Agan Hall every Sunday during the month of December. You

can review the information that will be included for your

family. If it is correct, please note OK and initial the entry. If

changes are needed, please make the necessary changes.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact

the office at 610-459-3482.

Spotlight on Missions: the Mazzella’s by Rob Robinson

T his month the Missions Spotlight shines on Andy and Kathy Mazzella. Bethlehem

United Methodist Church is a long-term supporter of Andy and Kathy. We first

gave them our support when they were working in Alaska, for an organization known as

SEND. Andy was in charge of radio broadcasting for the radio station that SEND

operated in Alaska. They actually begin working as missionaries in 1987, in Micronesia.

Andy has an extensive background in radio and internet Christian teaching.

4

Several years ago they left SEND and began working for HCJB global. The initials stand

for "Heralding Christ Jesus Blessings." This is an up and coming concern that began radio

ministry in Ecuador in 1931. HCJB is now a worldwide organization with the vision "to

partner with Christians in media and healthcare to bring the voice and hands of Jesus to

the unreached peoples of the world." This past summer, Andy and Kathy led a group of

twenty-five interns in New Zealand, as they attempted to develop both their creative and

technological abilities in reaching their peers with content from a biblical worldview.

Rochelle, an intern from Ghana, wrote the following assessment of the program:

"Through this medical outreach, many have heard the gospel for the first time and have

become followers of Jesus Christ. Still many more have been encouraged in their faith. It

has been my privilege to witness God change lives and transform communities as we did

our best to meet their physical needs.” The Mazzella's are currently based in Colorado,

but raised their three sons in Alaska, and then lived for several years in Texas. They

visited BUMC several years ago, and we found them to be a warm and loving Christian

family. Our church is blessed to be able to contribute to the work done by Andy and

Kathy Mazzella.

Affordable

Healthcare

Forum

BUMC will be

hosting their second

forum for those

interested in learning

about affordable

healthcare. The

forum will feature

an address by Jill

Lashay, Esq., a well

respected labor

attorney who travels

the country speaking

on the legal and real

life implications of

this legislation.

Tentative scheduling

is for mid January to

February depending

on the speakers

availability. Paul

Cass, MD and

William Bonner,

Esq will be at the

speakers table to

respond to the Q&A

session to follow the

address.

Stay tuned for more

details!

Light Up the Sky Continued from page 1

5

In contrast, a mission statement defines WHAT God calls us to DO. For most of you read-

ing this, the following will be brand new, for while this has been shared with some church

leaders, this is the first church-wide roll-out of our mission statement: “We are called to

seek the lost, restore the broken, and make the wounded whole, by bringing people TO

Jesus, growing people IN Jesus, and serving people FOR Jesus.” The first half of this

statement is the doing: seek, restore, make whole; and this first half also identifies who

our mission is meant to reach: the lost, broken, and wounded (which actually includes

ourselves initially, for just as we were grace RECEIVERS before we became grace

GIVERS, so too are we found, restored, and made whole before we turn around and

minister the same blessings to others in Jesus’ name!).

The second half of the mission statement provides general guidelines for HOW we will

fulfill our mission: by bringing folks to, growing them in, and serving them for Jesus.

Specific ministries (old and new) will, in time, provide specific goals and activities which

will actually live out these ministries. And notice that the general guidelines point to some

(but not all) of the primary purposes in which our church engages: evangelism (bringing

people to Jesus) and discipleship (growing people in Jesus) and service (serving people

for Jesus).

Over the coming weeks, months and years we will begin to unpack, preach, recite (like

our vision statement!), explain, and participate in this mission. In many ways, ALL

churches engage in so many of the basic ministries we think of, but EVERY church is

also meant to be unique and distinctive in some way. So, what sets Bethlehem UMC

apart? I believe it’s that Jesus is calling us to become especially known as a church that

brings wholeness to people’s lives: spiritual, emotional, and physical wholeness that is

real and practical, that is life-giving and life-renewing. As disciples of Christ, we’re to

become disciple-makers; so let’s respond to God’s call to bring the healing and wholeness

of Jesus to bear in all areas of people’s lives!

The Pastor’s Cornered! Continued from page 2

We hope everyone will join us this year,

introducing BUMC to friends, co-workers,

and families. Because at BUMC, we are the

body of Christ, we are His hands and feet,

we are His words and teachings. We are

healthy and growing and full of love. We

ARE Christmas at Bethlehem.

Thornbury

Township Events

Friday, 12/6

Thornbury Park

6:00pm

Enjoy an outdoor

fire, tree lighting, hot

chocolate, hot dogs

and a visit from San-

ta. Bring your eco-

friendly homemade

ornament to decorate

the tree.

Thursday, 12/12

12:00noon

Senior lunch and

movie. Bring a $10

gift for a fun game .

SUNDAY, DECEMBER

22 AT 6:00 PM.

The Youth Group

will be Christmas

Caroling in

Thornbury Hunt

followed by a bonfire

and s’mores.

Everyone is invited to

join in the fun.

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Where’s Woofi?

F or those of you who could not attend the Kenya

Report Back, Woofi the Gospel Puppy (WGP)

brought surprise, joy, comfort, and the Gospel to 52

orphans who either are HIV positive or who had a

parent who died of AIDS. These children are in a

Christian orphanage, but as Gail Adams reported, they

listened as if spell bound. They did not know they

would receive a Woofi and when they did, they were so

excited that one little boy just kept kissing his. They

could not believe how much Woofi looked like the

orphanage pet dog. One little girl appeared not to have

received one with the group, but when questioned, she

had already put hers on her bed to be sure it was well

protected.

After the team was home, Andi Hall had a request to

supply about six more, which she happily did. Some of

the presenters felt they had grown in their spiritual

walk with the Lord. They had been able to stand in

front of a group, control their nervousness, and tell His

Good News. This past fall, one Woofi and book started

on a journey to Uganda. The Stuarts and the Widlunds

were camping in South Carolina. At church there, we

met a young missionary who was looking for ways to

connect with children. She said parents and teachers

both needed help with this. Woofi to the rescue. After

church, I hopped on my bike and made the delivery to

her door.

Looking ahead...Ed Pappas is including an invitation to

purchase Woofi for the families we help at Christmas

in his informational letter to the Small Groups. Also,

look for the Woofi table again in Agan Hall this season

for your own evangelistic Christmas gifts. You may

purchase Woofi and the book to have on hand

throughout the year when our Lord's Spirit moves you

to share the Gospel of Peace with someone, not

necessarily restricted to a child.

By Harriet Widlund

By John McGrath

7

Christmas Breakfast with Sue Morton

W ell, summer is over, there’s frost on the

pumpkin and winter is on the doorstep. Time

to think about curling up in front of a fire with a good

book, and we have a few suggestions for you. Among

our new acquisitions are a couple of very stimulating

books which might appeal to you. Are you a Ted

Dekker fan? Dekker is a bestselling author of

adrenaline rush thrillers pitting good against evil. We

just got the first of his Book of Mortals series,

Forbidden. Set in a terrifying, medieval future, years

have passed since civilization's brush with apocalypse.

There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only

perfect peace... and fear. But a terrible secret has been

closely guarded for centuries: every single soul

walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal,

is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true

humanity. Fleeing pursuit, with only moments to live, a

young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a

vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When

consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When

decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous

journey that will require him to abandon everything he

has ever known and awaken humanity to the

transforming power of true life and love.

For those of you of a non-fiction mindset, we have

David Platt’s book Radical. Recommended by Pastor

Tom, this book will challenge you in a way that may

be, shall I say, radical. In this very provocative book,

Platt challenges the status quo and the way the Church

does business. Arguing that American church culture

runs counter to the gospel, he compels readers to

forsake the American Dream "in radical abandonment

to the person and purpose of Jesus Christ." He contends

Library News

T he Women's Christmas Breakfast will be held on

Saturday December 7, 2013 from 9 - 11 am. It is

always a special time to gather together before the

hustle and bustle begins for the Holidays and to

celebrate the Reason for the Season, Jesus. This year's

speaker will be Sue Morton. Her inspirational message

is titled, "A Journey With A Purpose" based on the

verse “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the

Lord’s purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

Sue began her life in Delaware County, Pa. As one of

11 children, she learned early that God never promised

a life without trials. His only promise is that He will be

there with us through all of them. She has been a flight

attendant for 30 years, a wife of husband, Dave for 22

years, and mom to their three children, Kyle (19), Todd

(17), and Mackenzie (15). Sue resides in West Chester,

PA. Through many different seasons, the Lord

continues to teach Sue how to

discern His voice and listen to

His wisdom above all others.

She is excited to share practical

insights that continue to help

her have a vibrant relationship

with the Lord.

This year, items will be

collected for Amnion. Their

major needs are baby wipes and newborn-size diapers.

However, onesies and baby blankets will also be

accepted and passed along to moms in need. Your

giving will bless others, but it will also bless you too.

Although there is no charge for this annual event, a

free-will donation will be taken to offset its costs. Any

amount given is greatly appreciated.

Women’s Ministry By Lori Imparato

continued on page 8

8

Hummus

2 can s Progresso chick-peas, drained (save liquid!)

1 c. plus 2 Tbsp of saved liquid

6 Tbsp lemon juice

6 Tbsp tahini paste (ground sesame seeds)

4 garlic cloves

1/2 to 1 tsp. salt

Blend in food processor until smooth. Proper presentation

"Armenian Style" is to spread the hummus on a shallow

plate, sprinkle lightly with paprika, add a few black olives

and drizzle with olive oil.

During the holidays in Turkey they mix the plain hummus

with pomegranate seeds (it is one of my favorites). Enjoy, and be merry!

by Jan Samuelian

The Bethlehem Star is published 6 times/year by Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 4 Westtown Road, Thornton PA 19373, (610) 459-3482,

www.bethmeth.com, Editor: Brenda Orso, [email protected]. Deadline for copy: the 7th day of the month prior to publication. Editor reserves the right to

edit for content and space. Unsolicited material is welcome!

Merry Christmas! I wanted to share with you a personal holiday recipe this issue, and decided

on my favorite recipe for Armenian hummus. In addition to tasting great, hummus can be pre-

pared ahead of time, it is easy to serve (along side of wedges of warm pita bread), and is very

healthy. Hummus is high in iron, vitamin C, and significant amounts of folate, vitamin B6, and

high in protein, fiber and amino acids. It makes a nice homemade food gift at a time when we

usually have an overload of sweets tempting us. The history of hummus, and who claims to have originated the original

recipe, goes back to ancient times. Syria, Israel, Armenia, Greece, North Africa (including Morocco), Egypt, Palestine,

Lebanon, and Jordan are just a few areas that take credit. Hummus is taken SO seriously by these people that at one

time the Lebanese tried to petition the court to protect it’s status" as a uniquely Lebanese food ( they lost ). One Middle

Eastern journalist specializing in food wrote, "Trying to make a copyright claim over hummus, is like claiming for the

rights to bread and wine. It is an old Arab dish, nobody owns it, it belongs to the region.” Since my husband is of

Armenian ancestry (home of Noah's Ark), I've had my share of hummus tastings over the last thirty years. The recipe I

am sharing with you is from our Aunt Carol. Her version was voted the "best" a few years back when the family held a

"hummus cook-off." I hope you agree with our decision.

Continued from page 7 Library News

that taking back our faith involves actively and seriously committing ourselves to spread the gospel to all nations,

owning responsibility for helping others grow in Christ, and literally caring for the poor.

I know we have a few C.S. Lewis fans in the congregation. We just bought a copy of his classic, Miracles. I guess if you

really are a C.S. Lewis fan, you’ve already read it, but for those who haven’t, this book will be a revelation. Lewis says

"The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation. They say that God became Man. Every other miracle

prepares the way for this, or results from this." Using his characteristic lucidity and wit to develop his argument, Lewis

challenges the rationalists, agnostics, and deists on their own grounds and provides a poetic and joyous affirmation that

miracles really do occur in our everyday lives. I will have more on new acquisitions in the next Bethlehem Star.

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