Bethel A.M.E. Church
SUMMER 2012 Volume 1, Issue 2
Serving the community for over 150 years! 111 N. Cherry Street, Lebanon, Ohio
Special Interest Articles: Page 2 Spotlight on Associate Pastor Schaeffer
Page 3 Church School Highlights
Page 5 Financial Health Tips
Homecoming at Bethel by Pastor Ricardo Lewis Praise the Lord! Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of His faithful people. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrel and harp. For the LORD takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory. Let His faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. (Psalm 149:1-5)
Book Review
On August 5, Bethel will celebrate its annual Homecoming in song. It is the day family members are invited to praise the Lord, with the talents He has graciously bestowed on them. Last year members of the Singleton family, the Mills family, and the Sims family blessed those in attendance with their songs of praise. Invitations have gone out, inviting some to come prepared to share.
Calendar of Events JULY
Page 6
TH
Friday – 4 Fourth of July
AUGUST Sunday – 5th Homecoming / Anniversary Celebration
Page 7 Missionary Society Update
(513) 932-7919
Sunday – 11th Shorter Chapel AME Church
SEPTEMBER th
Saturday – 29 Bake Sale
However, if you want to participate, please feel free to just let us know on that Sunday. This year is planned to follow a similar format as last. Sprinkled throughout the service will be songs of praise. It is also communion Sunday, so the Lord’s Supper will be served to all in attendance. It promises to be a day you will not regret, please plan to attend. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the church.
Bethel A.M.E. Church
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Spotlight on…Associate Pastor Karen Schaeffer Rev. Karen R. Schaeffer, Ph.D., is an Itinerate Elder of the AME Church who serves as an assistant to the pastor at Bethel Lebanon. Her ministerial commitments include the duties of Church School Superintendent and Sunday School Teacher. She preaches periodically for various congregations within the South Ohio Conference and provides clergy supports for youth and community outreach programs. Dr. Schaeffer provides workshops for The Cincinnati Conference and has recently accepted an invitation to serve on the curriculum committee for the annual Tawawa Youth Congress at Wilberforce University. Rev. Schaeffer is happily married to Mr. Mark Schaeffer. They have two adult daughters (Alissa Osborne and Tiffany Hare) two sons-in-law (Wade Osborne and Matthew Hare) and five grand children [Maia and Emma Osborne (ages 10 and 6), and Anna, Julie and Benjamin Hare (ages 6, 4 and 2)]. She is the third of eight siblings born to Mr. James R. Sample and Mrs. Ruth Katherine Sample (nee Robinson) who live in Marshall County Kentucky. As Co-Director of Empowering Education Consultation & Systems Support Services, LLC, Dr. Schaeffer provides professional development and consultation to schools, faith-based and other child and family serving organizations. She finished doctoral studies in School Psychology with a focus on cross-agency collaboration at the University of Cincinnati in 2001. She recently earned a Masters of
Divinity degree from Payne Theological Seminary at Wilberforce, Ohio. Her Masters Thesis describes how theological principles voiced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. provide a solid foundation on which to build modern grassroots efforts toward equity and justice.
During her twenty-four year career as an educator, Dr. Schaeffer has provided leadership at building, district, regional and state levels to facilitate implementation of effective academic and behavior prevention and intervention systems. She works collaboratively to develop tools and resources that support large-scale implementation of research and evidence-based practices that are culturally responsive, rigorous and relevant in order to meet the needs of all students while closing historic achievement gaps. She is a coauthor of “Best Practices in Professional Development: Moving School Systems to an Integrated, Three-Tier Model of Academic and Behavior Supports”, in J. Grimes & A. Thomas, Best Practices in School Psychology IV 2007 edition.
educational and social service systems with a focus on identifying and growing existing and potential individual and system strengths. Dr. Schaeffer was a founding member of the Diversity in Education Collaborative (DEC) of Southwest Ohio. She is co-founder and co-director of Empowering Connections, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to empower and transform lives through proactive systems of strength-based supports. She currently serves as coordinator for The Steering Committee of The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Coalition of Lebanon, Ohio.
Dr. Schaeffer specializes in facilitating cycles of improvement in
MLKCommunityCoaltionofLebanon.webs.com
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Bethel A.M.E. Church - Lebanon
Church School News “Rap” With Us: Youth Lessons at Bethel AMEC This summer, Bethel students are learning how to use the Bible to inform good decisions in their daily lives. We have completed an introduction to skills for using Bible dictionaries, concordances and Tables of Contents to find scriptures that address typical life situations. Students are now memorizing books of the Bible by engaging in a rhyming rap led by pastor, Rev. Lewis. The youth are also playing a Bible quiz game during which they answer Bible questions to earn their way along a path on a floor-sized game mat. This game is designed to teach the major sections of the Old and New Testaments. Our upcoming unit is titled, “Rev It Up”. During this series of lessons we will focus on Jesus’ calling and preparing disciples.
Christian Education For All Ages Bethel AME Sunday School teachers strive to provide welcoming, organized and highly engaging learning experiences for all ages. We are committed to having a wholesome learning environment where young people and adults maximize their gifts and talents. This aligns us with the mission of the AME Church School, which is; to teach, train, nurture, prepare, and recruit adults and children in God’s word for Christian service, emphasizing those Christian principles which are essential for effective Christian growth and participation. This teaching and training shall be designed to prepare them and assist them with effective living and Christian leadership in a changing society. (AMEC Doctrine and Discipline) The Christian Education offered at Bethel focuses on biblical knowledge, spiritual development, understanding the Church and application of Christian principals in daily life.
Drop off aluminum cans, newspaper, cardboard and office paper at the church! Thank you from the Sunday School
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Bethel A.M.E. Church
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Church School Convention 2012 Leveraging the Strengths of Church School to Empower Young People Lee Chapel AME Church where Rev. Kevin Cooper is pastor hosted the 2012 Cincinnati District Church School Conference on Saturday June 16, 2012. Teachers included Seena Skelton, Ph.D., Katina Wyche, M.Ed., Pam Jackson and Mary Andrews. Bethel participants were Rev. Ricardo Lewis, Mrs. Vonya Lewis and Rev. Karen Schaeffer in the adult class; Shawn Kimberlin, Kya Dews, Maia Osborne and William Dews in the elementary class; and Emma Osborne in the primary class. Lessons for each age group focused on 40 developmental assets that help insulate young people from negative influences and provide resilience. These assets can be summarized as follows: External Assets support, empowerment, boundaries/expectations, and constructive use of time Internal Assets commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies and positive identity. The scripture grounding for the conference was: 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12: 4-8 To learn more about the 40 developmental assets and ways that they can be enacted in our congregation and community, please visit http://www.search-institute.org/
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Bethel A.M.E. Church - Lebanon
Becoming a financially sound body in Christ Mindset change: And do not be conformed to this world. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12 . 2. It has been said that churches are filled with sick people trying to get healed. We seek healing in our body, mind and spirit. God provides all these things and more. Through God's word we can seek healing for our personal finances as well. If our personal finances are sick we can't do the things we need to do or have the desire to do. We can't be a blessing with our giving if we need healing in our personal finances. Suggested sources to assist you in becoming financially sound, financially healed or sources to reinforce what you already know. Sources for financial advice: God's word (the Bible), personal finance advisors such as Suzie Orman and Dave Ramsey. Also direct assistance services such as Consumer Credit Counseling Service (a non-profit organization) 3131 S. Dixie Drive Suite 300, Moraine Ohio (937) 643-2227. Faith in God through His word to study: II Corinthians 9 . 6-7 Cheerful Giver, Luke 12 . 34 Where you heart is, Matthew 19 . 21 Sell your possessions give them to the poor and follow Christ, Matthew 23 . 23 Tithe and don't forget other important things. Financial Health Tips: 1. Log spending for 30 days - Eye opening experience! 2. Look at excess/unnecessary spending - SAVE IT! 3. Build an emergency fund with savings - at least $1000.00 4. Make a written agreed upon budget for self/spouse - use the envelop method to paying bills. 5. Start paying off debt, start with the highest interest rate by sending extra money. After it's paid off go to the next highest interest rate debt, so on and so on. - Plan for getting out of debt Live within your means. The more wealth you build the more you can be a blessing to others. Look for monthly financial tips to come. You will also receive 3 more quarterly reports this year. Be Blessed,
ReneĂŠ Forrester Bethel AME Church Treasurer
Bethel A.M.E. Church
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Book Review The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel The Christian Atheist was written by self-diagnosed former Christian atheist, Craig Groeschel. While the title often shocks and offends, the title and phrase were specially crafted to describe those who profess to be Christians yet who live as though God does not really exist. Those who pray for healing or deliverance, but do not really believe God has the power to fulfill His promises. Pastor Groeschel divides the book into twelve chapters. Each chapter challenges the reader to hold a mirror inches from their soul and examine the spiritual blemishes in their Christian walk. His mission seems to be to force each of us to ask and honesty answer the question of what our life says about our faith and whether we are living a life worthy of Christ. His combination of humor and honesty regarding his personal challenges was refreshing. Those of us who participated in the his guided exploration of the Bible, left each week inspired and committed to taking the steps necessary to be a better reflection of our Lord and Savior - to be a better person tomorrow than we were today. Written by: Pastor Ricardo Lewis *******************************************************************************************************************************
Upcoming Meeting Dates Church Conference Meetings
Stewards Meetings
Trustee Meetings
Missionary Meetings
1st Monday, 6 pm
1st Saturday, 11 am
1st Saturday, 12 noon
2nd Sundays following service
July 9th August 6th
July 7th August 4th
July 7th August 4th
July 8th August – no meeting
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Bethel A.M.E. Church - Lebanon
Greetings from the Missionary Society From the desk of: Alyne L. Scott, President of The Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bethel, Lebanon Greetings Sisters and Brothers in Christ. The Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bethel, Lebanon will hold monthly meetings on the second Sunday of the month following worship service. Our first order of business is to confirm all appointed officers. We hope that everyone is excited about working together to help our church and our community. We will begin with two missionary projects including a Kitchen Shower for the church. Renee Forrester has volunteered to coordinate this project – please see her for more information. We also plan to begin our food ministry early to help our neighbors with their Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. If you are interested in helping with this, please let me know. Our Mission Statement: We are called to strengthen our faith and sent to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ by service and witness in the world. Missionary Benediction: “In the Name of the Trinity God, May the Spirit of Christian Missions enter every heart. This we ask in Jesus’ Name Amen.”
Bethel A.M.E. Church Virtual Kitchen Shower Bethel A.M.E. Church Missionary Department is having a Virtual Kitchen Shower. There are 4 ways to donate: 1) Email BethelAMEChurchKitchenShower@yahoo.com 2) Call Virtual Shower Chairman Renee Forrester at 513-228-0835 3) Log onto Target.com, click on TargetLists and search for Bethel Lebanon (or visit your local Target). 4) Log onto Walmart.com, click on Registries, select Wish List and search for Bethel Lebanon (or visit your local Walmart).
Please pray over this list. We have a mission to serve those in need. Scripture for study: Matthew 25 31-46 Needed Items: Cutlery-Cookware-Utensils-Baking Supplies-Serving Supplies-Disposable Supplies-Spice Rack Salt & Pepper Mill-Coffee Maker-George Forman Grill-Electric Can Opener-Hand Mixer-Blender Toaster-Cleaning Supplies We also need volunteers to help clean and organize the kitchen! We thank you in advance for your help!
BETHEL A.M.E. CHURCH 111 N. Cherry St. Lebanon, OH 45036
Tang Soo Do
PHONE: (513) 932-7919 E-MAIL: BethelLebanonAME@yahoo.com
Recipe Book is on sale now! Get your copy for just $15 –see Mrs. Vonya Lewis Or call (513) 932-7919.
SUNDAY SCHOOL, 9:30am ADULT SCHOOL, 10am WORSHIP SERVICE, 11am
We’re on the Web!
Bethel Amec
Wednesdays, 6:30 pm Instructor: Alissa Osborne
Bethel’s Wish List
New carpet New windows New coats of paint, inside and out 10 passenger van Window treatment for fellowship hall
About Bethel Lebanon… The mission of the African American Episcopal Church is to minister to: physical, emotional needs of all people, to administer to the needs of those in hospitals, nursing homes, asylums, and mental institutions, caring for the sick and the shut-ins, the mentally and socially disturbed.
BETHEL A.M.E. CHURCH 111 N. CHERRY ST. LEBANON, OH 45036 (513) 932-7919