Bethel A.M.E. Church
FALL 2012 Volume 1, Issue 3
Serving the community for over 150 years! 111 N. Cherry Street, Lebanon, Ohio
Special Interest Articles: Page 2 Annual Conference Highlights
Page 3 MLK Community Coalition
Page 6 Food Drive
(513) 932-7919
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)
On August 5, Bethel held its annual Homecoming. It was the day family and past members were invited to praise the Lord, with the talents He has graciously bestowed on them. This year, members of the Singleton family, the Brown family, and the Sims family blessed those in attendance with their songs of praise. We all shared the Lord’s Supper. It was truly a day of family and celebration. Please mark your st calendar for the 1 Sunday in August 2013 (August 4th) and plan to attend.
Calendar of Events NOVEMBER th
18 – Friends & Family Day
Page 7 Missionary Society Update
DECEMBER st
1 – Holiday Parade Fundraiser
Drop off aluminum cans, newspaper, cardboard and office paper at the church! Thank you from the Sunday School
Bethel A.M.E. Church Annual Conference Highlights by Rev. Dr. Karen Schaeffer
September 26th-30th, Bishop McKinley Young presided over the 61st South Ohio Annual Conference at Wayman Chapel AME Church in Dayton, Ohio with Episcopal Supervisor Dr. Dorothy J. Young at his side. Thirty-two congregations from the Greater Dayton and Greater Cincinnati areas provided reports on their discipleship and stewardship. Daily worship services featured outstanding ministry in music and powerful biblically based sermons for spiritual renewal. Reports regarding the multiple ministries of the church provided substantive information regarding current local and worldwide ministry needs and resources. The conference provided time for celebration of ministries from the Women’s Missionary Society and Young People’s Department, Lay Organization, Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce University and the office of Bishop McKinley (to name a few). Fellowship and networking to grow and develop local churches and outreach ministries were dynamically present throughout conference week. On Sunday at the closing service, Bishop Young reassigned Rev. Ricardo Lewis to pastor Bethel AMEC of Lebanon, Ohio.
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Church School Update by Rev. Dr. Karen Schaeffer
Bethel’s Church School meets weekly from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. Mrs. Gay Hedges provides exciting lessons for pre-K through second grade. Mrs. Barbara Ford makes sure that healthy snacks are provided and coaches all students on the leadership jobs that they have been assigned. Mrs. Vonya Lewis and Rev. Ricardo Lewis provide biblically based interactive music lessons for all age groups. Rev. Karen Schaeffer serves as superintendent and provides Bible lessons for the older students. This quarter the students are learning about the protective power of God’s full armor (Ephesians 6:10-20). They are beginning preparation for presentations on Family Day in November and their annual Christmas pageant.
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Bethel A.M.E. Church - Lebanon
MLK Community Coalition of Lebanon by Raye Kimberlin
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Coalition of Lebanon, Ohio will host the annual citywide day of service, "A Day On-Not A Day Off" on January 21, 2013. Volunteers will collect donations and provide services to promote "Economic Sufficiency." Since an increasing number of community members are experiencing joblessness, hunger and homelessness, people from all walks of life will unite in the city's largest and most meaningful day of service to date. Planners include representatives from child and family serving agencies, faith-based organizations, local schools and businesses, city government and military families. Activities launched in January will continue throughout a season of service that focuses on the coalition's mission of inclusive networking for empowerment. This season will include a "40 Days of Peace" project aligned with Dr. King's vision of "The Beloved Community." During the “40 Days of Peace” volunteers from the community will deliver appreciation packages to military families. The Volunteer Awareness and Community Day of Service sub-committee plays a pivotal role in preparation for the "Day of Service" and ongoing service projects throughout the year. The co-chairs of this sub-committee serve as project coordinators for the service projects and volunteer recruitment. The MLK, Jr. Day Celebration, Awards and Recognition sub-committee prepares for the evening event that brings diverse community members together to reinforce the vision of Dr. King and local ongoing efforts aligned with his work. The Community Needs and Strategic Planning sub-committee studies community needs and guides strategic planning to address those needs effectively. The Homework Zone(s) sub-committee implements after school homework clubs to help address identified educational needs.
Make A Difference Day
Day of Service
October 20, 2012 Volunteer recruitment kick-off for Day of Service Projects
Lebanon Junior High School Monday January 21, 2013 12 noon – 5 pm
Drum Major of Service Awards Deadline for nominations – Friday November 2nd
King Day Celebration Lebanon Junior High School Monday January 21, 2013 7pm
MLKCommunityCoaltionofLebanon.webs.com
Bethel A.M.E. Church
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Becoming a financially sound body in Christ by Renee Forrester, Bethel AMEC Treasurer
Because navigating the financial storms of life is not easy Mindset change: And do not be conformed to this world. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)
My first article dealt with ways to become financially sound. From why we should be financially sound to helpful ways to get there. This article is a continuation to help shift our minds to the important things in life. It only benefits us to use everything God blesses us with to the fullest. So I’m asking a few questions that may just help all of us get healthy in our finances (only if it applies to you). Do you have room in your life for a financial blessing? Are you holding onto things you don’t need, use or even want? Could these things be blocking your financial blessing? The word for this article is PURGE! P – PLAN to get your house in order. Go through your home and be honest about what you really need to live. If you haven’t seen an item or used it in 6 months or longer, do you really need it? U – USE what you have. I looked around my kitchen and found two to three of the same items. Sure having a back-up for a useful tool can come in handy but is it always necessary… R – RECYLE items, this could also give you extra funds and if not it will help the environment. G – GIVE access away to someone in need. Like those extra kitchen tools can be donated to the Virtual Kitchen Shower for the church. E – ENJOY the clean, organized space you have created. You may be able to create a room for just you and God, to study & meditate on His Word and for prayer. Building on 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 each month. After it's paid off go to the next highest interest rate debt, so on and so on. 6. Purge things from your home – have a yard sale (save the money) or donate items to a charity. Make room for financial blessing. 7. Don’t deprive yourself from shopping. Been looking at a cute pair of shoes – save for the purchase. A tip I received from a friend: buy one thing for yourself each pay day. By purchasing an item as small as a book, nail polish, or knee highs can satisfy that need to shop. 8. Buy what you need, use coupons, seek out sales, clearance and discounted items. 9. Always buy quality – it lasts longer. If you can only buy one or two high quality towels buy the quality towels – don’t buy six towels of poor quality, they won’t last long. 10. Only purchase what you can afford and what you will use. Be careful of stocking up on items. Some things have expiration dates, so be mindful not to waste your money having to throw things away. Plan for getting out of debt and make room for your financial blessing. 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. Be Blessed!
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Bethel A.M.E. Church - Lebanon
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 Baking Supplies Spice Rack George Forman Grill Blender Kitchen Towels
Cookware Serving Supplies Salt & Pepper Mill Electric Can Opener Toaster Tablecloths
Utensils Disposable Supplies Coffee Maker Hand Mixer 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
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Bethel A.M.E. Church Food Drive
In Loving Memory of Mrs. Virginia Jones Sept. 30 - Week 1 Green Beans, Corn and other canned veggies
Oct. 7 - Week 2 Mac N Cheese Oct.14 - Week 3
Bethel A.M.E. Church Missionary Society In conjunction with the MLK Community Coalition of Lebanon will conduct a food drive to benefit area families.
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Oct. 21- Week 4 Spaghetti sauce and pasta
Oct. 28 – Week 5 Cranberry Sauce
Nov. 4 - Week 6
Help make this a season where everyone enjoys the harvest and no one goes hungry.
Mashed Potatoes and Stuffing
Nov. 11 – Week 7 Bread Nov. 18 - Week 8 Butter and Milk
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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. All appointed officers are in the process of being confirmed. We hope that everyone is excited about working together to help our church and our community. The Virtual Kitchen Shower for the church is under way. 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, in memory of Mrs. Virginia Jones. 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 Triune God, May the Spirit of Christian Missions enter every heart. This we ask in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Missionary Meetings 2nd Sundays following service October 14th November 11th December 9th
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
Wednesdays, 6:30 pm Instructor: Alissa Osborne
Bethel’s Wish List
New carpet New double pane windows New coats of paint, inside and out 10 passenger van Window treatment for fellowship hall
We’re on the Web!
Bethel Amec
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