Summer Bash 2010

2010 Summer Bash | Sunday, July 4th | 4pm – 8pm

Near the softball fields and under the Big Tent.

A picnic outreach event for EVERYONE to enjoy. Bring a friend to experience the excitement, and a dessert to share. The church will supply delicious hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, macaroni salad and water. If you want soda feel free to bring a 2 liter to share. Bring a comfy lawn chair if you want and get ready to have fun playing some games, listening to music or just sitting around talking.

The car and motorcycle show will be back with another buffalo soldiers salute with the sound of roaring engines.

The fun starts at 4 and the food will be served at 5.

If you want to help out with any part of the event please contact Pastor Tim.
It is for freedom Christ has set us free! (Gal 5:1 NIV)

Reach (413)

This spring vacation, April 19-24, we will be doing a home missions trip to the Pioneer Valley for all Jr. and Sr. High students. We will be working with Springfield Rescue Mission, Lion’s Den, Habitat for Humanity, and the Springfield Homeless Ministry as well as doing street ministry with adults and children. This is a crucial opportunity for students to exercise the Biblical mandate of social justice and giving to others when everything we hear from society is to take for ourselves.

The cost for the week is only $130 and this includes registration for “The Launch,” Southern New England’s District Youth Convention. Pick up your application at the hospitality counter and sign up in the bookstore.

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.)

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!

Hope Totes

Please help the Springfield Rescue Mission this Easter by filling a Hope Tote for a homeless man, woman or child.

Items needed:

• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Soap/Body Wash
• Shampoo
• Deodorant
• Lip Balm
• Socks
• Underwear
• Hair Brush & Comb
• Tissues
• Shoelaces
• Hand or body lotion
• Shaving cream
• Disposable razors.

The Totes (bags) are available at the Hospitality Counter. Please return them by March 24.

BETHANY CHRISTMAS STAR

Our annual “Star” tree is in the foyer and will be there through Sunday, November 29th. Each ornament (Star) on the tree lists a need or a wish of a child of a family in need, either from this congregation or from families within the community. If you wish to bless one of these children, please pick a Star from the tree, register it at the small podium nearby, purchase and wrap the item, and bring it to the church.

CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING

Wednesday, November 25, 7pm, we will be hosting a special Community Thanksgiving Service which will provide a great opportunity to celebrate with other area churches on this uniquely American holiday. Please note that this service will take place in the Lighthouse Auditorium because RevoFest ’09 is a large youth event occurring in the main Sanctuary. Plan to take part, and have a blessed Thanksgiving.

THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER

The West Springfield Parish Association is sponsoring a Thanksgiving dinner at St. Thomas School Thursday, Nov. 26 from noon to 2 p.m.  Delivery service is available in Agawam [(413) 821-0604] and West Springfield [(413) 739-0247].  For more information, please contact the church office or Barbara Amsden.

THANKSGIVING BASKETS

Bethany’s 2009 endeavor to provide local families in need with a delicious Thanksgiving dinner is currently underway.  Beginning Sunday, November 1, we will be supplying grocery bags with items needed listed on each bag to ensure the receiving family has a marvelous meal.  These bags will be available at the Hospitality Counter.  Please prayerfully consider filling one and being a blessing to a family in need this holiday season.  You may return the filled bags by Sunday, November 22 to designated tables in our hallways. For more information, please contact the church office.

U. S. MILITARY VETERANS

VETERANS APPRECIATION DAY – Wednesday, November 11, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., West Springfield Town Common, rain or shine! Veterans, please be our honored guests and enjoy a free lunch as we honor you for the many sacrifices and commitments you have given in serving in the United States military.  (Nominal charge for non-veterans.) Sponsored by Grateful Citizens for the Appreciation of Veterans.
Anyone interested in helping may contact the church office, (413) 789-2930.

Next Page »