Invite Campaign

The vast majority of people who visit Bethany for the first time were invited by a friend or family member. For the next few weeks we want to encourage everyone to invite somebody to a worship service at Bethany. We have several special events now through mid-April that you could invite a person too:

• Children’s Giant Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 3rd at 10:00am.
• Revolution (Youth) Extreme: “LOST” Edition – Wednesday, March 31st at 7:00pm.
• Golgotha Presentation: The Easter Song – Palm Sunday Weekend
• The Living Lord’s Supper – Good Friday evening, April 2nd at 7:00pm
• Easter Sunday Services on April 3rd at 6pm (Contemporary) and on the 4th at 9am and 10:45am

We will be wrapping up our INVITE Campaign on Sunday evening April 11th with a very special service at 6:00pm. Take this opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. It all adds up when you INVITE and reach out, God can change a heart.

True Fast: A Week of Serving

“Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke…” Is. 58:6

If you are like most people, fasting can seem a daunting proposition. No one likes to go without food, and why should we anyway? Many claim that fasting “gets God’s attention” as if He stopped caring because you were eating. Really, fasting is more for our benefit than for God’s. It reminds us that we should be relying on God all the time. But if you abstain from eating thinking that God will be obligated to answer your prayer, you are in for a big surprise. Fasting is about having a right heart before God and if you don’t have a right heart, it doesn’t matter how long you go without pizza, it won’t make a bit of difference.

TrueFast is about making sure that your heart is right before God. It is about making sure that your heart is True. TrueFast does not mean that abstaining from food is a “FalseFast,” it simply means that abstaining from food while treating others with contempt is a “FalseFast” and gives false hope for answers to prayer. We want to make certain that our hearts are in the right place. If we want God to work through us and help us, we have to make sure that our hearts are aligned with His, that they are True.

Join us March 29, 30, and April 1 as we make sure our hearts are True by foregoing some of our normal evening activities to help those in need.

“…then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.”

(For more information, e-mail Pastor Stephen Thee at sthee@bethany-ag.org or come to our Saturday evening Contemporary Service and find out for yourself.)

The Easter Song

The Bethany Choir and Orchestra, under the direction of Pastor Ken Bryars, and the Bethany Drama Department, under the direction of Marilene Allen will be presenting “The Easter Song”, a dramatic portrayal of the Passion Week as seen through the eyes of Thomas. The soaring, cinematic music and heart-stirring drama will unfold on the gigantic, four-tiered set constructed to bring the events of the passion of the Christ alive. The celebrant entry into Jerusalem, the betrayal and trials before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod, the crucifixion, and the triumphant resurrection from the tomb will unfold in song and drama.

Bethany Assembly’s 2010 Easter Golgotha presentations will be Palm Sunday weekend, March 26 through 28.

The four presentations are:

1. Friday, March 26 at 7pm
2. Saturday, March 27 at 6pm
3. Palm Sunday, March 28 at 3pm
4. Palm Sunday, March 28 at 6pm

All seats are free, with no individual reserved seating. Signing for the deaf is provided for all presentations, and a well-staffed, secure nursery is available for infants and children 3 and under. Because of the graphic nature of the crucifixion, it may not be suitable for small children.

Bethany Assembly is located at the corner of Rt. 57 and Main Street in Agawam, MA.

Bake Sale for Clean Water

Our Third-grade Sunday School class has taken on the challenge of raising funds for a “KHLORGEN 3000” water purification system. Many children and adults around the world suffer from diseases due to a lack of clean drinking water, something that we take for granted. This system will be placed in an orphanage in Tanzania. The orphanage feeds 2,000 meals per day to street children. The cost of the system is approximately $250. Our Sunday School children are making a difference! They are willing to tackle hard things for God. They will be having a BAKE SALE in the gymnasium between services next Sunday, March 14. Please support their efforts. You will enjoy their tasty treats and many orphans in Tanzania will enjoy clean water!

Easter Egg Hunt

Can you believe it? In less than one month Easter will be here! Saturday, April 3 (the day before Easter), we have scheduled our annual Easter Egg Hunt, with an opportunity to minister to hundreds of children. Please be praying for this event and for the TNT Puppet Team as they prepare their message. Also, volunteers and prizes are needed. God has blessed us with candy, but we do give away over 100 prizes and your help would be very much appreciated in this area. There are Easter Crosses on the white lattice in the main foyer with suggestions for prizes that you could donate. You can have a part in sharing the Good News of the eternal prize of everlasting life through faith in our “Risen  Savior.”

Men’s Conference – Iron Sharpens Iron

Iron Sharpens Iron is a traveling ministry that seeks to mobilize regional ministries to resource local churches with a first class one-day equipping conference that is specifically designed for men (age 13 and older). The First Cathedral in Bloomfield, CT will be hosting this amazing event on March 27 from 8:30am until 4:55pm.

Registration:

• Adult (18 and older) – $39
• Student (13-22) – $29. (Note: Full-time students, 18-22 $29.)

An optional box lunch is $8.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to be sharpened with worship, choice of sixteen seminars, exhibitors, resources, and more!

Night of Worship

This week at the Saturday evening Contemporary Service we will be taking a break from our sermon series in Isaiah to have a time of worship and communion. Join us as we reflect on what we have learned so far from Isaiah and as we remember Christ’s work, His body, His commission and His return. See you there!

Reliance, Restoration and Re-Creation

Pastor Stephen is starting a new sermon series through the book of Isaiah entitled “Reliance, Restoration and Re-Creation” at the Saturday Night Contemporary Service. This series will run from February 13 through April 10 with a one week break on March 13 for a night of communion and worship and another break March 27 for the Easter production. Hope to see you there…

Lead/Host a Fusion Forum Home Group

Special informational meetings for potential Fusion Forum leaders and/or hosts will be held on Sunday, March 7th following the 2nd service in Room 101 and on Saturday, March 13th following the Contemporary service in the choir room. Bethany’s small home groups for adults and young adults, called Fusion Forums, will be highlighted by coordinators Chuck & Caryl Schivley. Come hear first hand from some of our current leaders what God is doing in and through Fusion Forums.

Fashioned For Him Women’s Conference

On April 9-10, join women of all ages (must be at least 14 yrs) as we worship our creator and discover how we were fashioned for Him according to Psalm 139:14-16. The weekend will be packed with pampering, a fashion show, powerful worship services, a timely word from guest speaker, Joanne Cole, women’s ministry director from Capital Christian Center in Sacramento, California and performances by guest artist, Jillian Daco from Kansas City’s Storling Dance Company. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with God, connect with other women, and be compelled to change this world! Early registration cost is $20 until March 14th, $25 after, and $30 at the door (price includes Saturday lunch). Sign up in the bookstore or register online now!

*If you would like to nominate someone for the “Fashioned for Him Award,” you may pick up a nomination form in the bookstore AFTER you register and pay, or you may download a form online after making a payment. (The form will appear on the payment confirmation page.)

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