2021 A Note from the Pastor ….…….

Let's Talk Apps and Aptitudes

Recently, I attended a technology class for senior adults. I was surprised by the number of seniors present. I was also sur- prised no one thought me too young to be there with them. The instructors that day were in their 30s, 40s, and teens. The class worked with laptops and cell phones. The instructions centered around how to use Google apps and the benefits they offered. Most apps were presented as a tool to make life simpler and keep us connected with family.

The class covered things like downloading photos, creating albums for saved images making them easily retrievable and creating shared files that allowed you to organize events with family assisting in providing input electronically. There was even a lesson on using the calendar app where each family member could include their schedule. The instructor color- coded her calendar. We could see she had a different color for each child and color for her personal schedule. I was some- what skeptical of that working for me. The likelihood of my children sharing details of their daily activities was laughable. I don't know if the instructor saw my raised eyebrow. She soon confessed that one of her adult sons was not always faithful to document his whereabouts. That got a big laugh and nods from the class.

The class was informative. I really admired how the young assistants were patient with their elders. There was no name- calling. No laughing because of confusion. It was nice to see youth and elders working side by side.

It got me thinking how awesome it would be to see more young people instructing the elders at Bethel. I know there is much that the elders can teach the young. However, there is a lot the young can teach the elders if only the elders were willing to follow.

Elders are notorious for pointing out how things use to be yet slow to accept the occurring changes around them. But, like it or not, times are changing. God is gifting and calling the young people to take the lead.

I am reminded of the relationship between Moses and Joshua. It was a relationship of leader and apprentice. However, while Joshua was still young, Joshua was given leadership roles. First, he and Caleb were sent off on an expedition with 10 elders. The young people assessed the situation more to God's liking but way different than their elders. Unfortunately, the youth were ignored, and the elders' fears ruled the day. That resulted in God's displeasure and a 40-year delay in achieving God's promise.

When it came time for Moses to depart, Joshua was again given a position of leadership. This time he was responsible for leading the nation into the promised land. The task was daunting. Joshua was afraid he would screw it up. However, God Bethel United Methodist Church Methodist Bethel United had gifted and equipped Joshua for the job. God told Joshua to be strong and courageous. Trusting in God, Joshua led the people into the promised land.

There are several young people in scripture, equipped by God to do great things. There was Samuel, Ruth, David, Daniel, Joseph, Mary and Timothy. There are hundreds more in our church, families, and community. With a bit of encourage- ment and patience, the young can take us to new heights. I think it's time to let them soar. Let's hold tight and fly with them.

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:19

Oreo’s Blog

Oh no! I cannot believe it is time for school again! It seems your summer break just got started. Are you ready? Do you have your paper, pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, book bag and lunch bag? Getting new school supplies and clothes seem like a fun part of school to me.

Do you think your teacher knows how special you are? Does your teacher know you have Je- sus in your heart? Do you friends know about Jesus and that you have His love inside your heart? Do you see someone who is new and needs a friend? Can you be their friend? I know you can. One thing people say about us dogs is that we are good about showing un- conditional love. Do you know what that means? We love you no matter what! You can be mean to us, yet we still love you. That is hard for boys and girls, but we can work on it, right? We dogs also love to meet new people, and can give them a few licks. Don’t worry. You don’t have to lick anyone. Just meet them and offer to be their friend. You are my friend-- always.

Love, Oreo

Church Staff Office: 770-474-2570 Fax: 770-389-4845 WEB: www.bethel-umc.com Office Hours: Monday to Thursday | 9:30 AM—2:00 PM

Rev. Dr. Candy Thacker, Senior Pastor [email protected] Church Office [email protected] Rori Blakeney [email protected] Margaret Marlow, Organist Brian McClure, Pianist [email protected] Doreen Elliott, Treasurer [email protected]

Bethel Service Times: Sunday School 9:45-10:45am Traditional Service Planting and Watering 11:00am

Recently, the youth met at the Anvil Block Road Dairy Queen. It was a time of great fellowship. We talked. We ate. Third Sunday And, of course we had blizzards. Donations

But, before we left each youth had the opportunity to plant a Please remember your Third Sunday few seeds. Some planted flowers. Others planted herbs. donations for these Each youth planted something. They were instructed to take mission initiatives: their seeds home and water them. A Friend’s House is Well, our youth are one of the many seeds God has given us. dedicated to meeting the We are called to plant in them the Word of God -- Bible prin- emotional and ciples. Then, we must water the Word with affirmation, good physical needs of examples and opportunities to lead. children in crisis. Please consider donating to A We believe if we plant and water, God will give an increase.. Friend’s House. Look for the Little Wooden House in In 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, Paul writes, “I planted, Apollos wa- the Narthex to make tered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor your donation. he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and Helping in His Name Food Pantry. each will receive his wages according to his labor” As you enter or leave worship, don’t forget to place your Pray and ask God, if you are called to be a planter or water in donations of beans the life of our young. and rice in the supply bin near the church office.

Youth E-Blast Announcements

Mark Your Calendar – August 14th and 15th Calvary and the City The weekend of August 14th and 15th promises to be a meaningful time in the life of our young people. On Saturday, the youth will serve our siblings at Calvary. We will meet at church at 3 p.m. to prepare the meal. We depart the church at 5:30 p.m. Our group should return to church no later than 7:30 p.m. Calvary provides us with a opportunity to be the hands and feet of God in a hurting world. On Sunday, immediately following church, we will celebrate with a day in the city – Atlanta, We will head to the Varsity for a Dutch lunch followed by an afternoon of fun at Poncey City Market place. Put these events on your calendar today.

David Danced, So Can You! Bethel is in the early stages of starting a liturgical dance ministry. The ministry will interpret the Word through movement with a focus on praise and worship. It will en- rich our worship service. This ministry strives to equip men, women and children with the knowledge and understanding of God’s purpose for dance in the worship experience. This ministry is open to ALL.

Deb Carter 8-05 Helen & Don Horton 8-01 Courtland White 8-05 Deena & Johnny Goodwin 8-05 Teri Roper 8-05 Ardyth & Gene Bankston 8-15 Marie Bankston 8-13 Terry & Buddy Bolt 8-16 Kathy Kerdsomboone 8-19 Carol & Brian McClure 8-18 Ken Roper 8-19 Liz & Nick Sparks 8-28 David Shelton 8-21 Tava & Jim Kirk 8-29 Eugenia Walters 8-25 Evie & Pat Deloney 8-30 Linda Henderson 8-26 Papia Mauger 8-27 Deena Goodwin 8-28 Harold Moore 8-30 Joyce Wilkerson 8-31

GENERAL GIVING FOR JULY 2021

July 04 $7166.4 July 11 $8611.00 PRAISES Phyllis Cowan *Shirley Walters Eleanor Carter *Jeff Sanders John (Pat) Sullivan is getting July 18 $4968.00 Donna & Gwen Brautigan *Nicholas Jerome Scott much better. Denise Mainer *Paula Frizzell July 25 $2216.00 Pam Redding *Lily Eubanks PRAYERS PLEASE Dianne Kozara *Allison Spence Total $22962.00 Debra Bryant *Ajani King Don Horton Brenda Parker *Eden Bankston John Martin, Jr. Charles Pruitt *Louise Whittaker Zachary Smith Bill Frizzell *Rick McNabb Lori Clark Tracey Redding *Mavis Sewell Tammie Holland Betty Williams *Timmy Graham Ron and Fern Pearson Doris McKnight *Pat Pritchett Peter Keane Lisa Milsapp *Warren Sprayberry Linda Clarke Andy Blackburn *Gloria Chamlee Teachers Mallory B. *Harry and Eldora Pierce Children in War Zones The Pastor’s Wednesday Mid-Day Bible Study meets William Akbar * Windell McIntosh Cathy Bell every Wednesday in the conference room. Anyone inter- Timothy Milton * Sarah Potts Beckie Connelly Susan Webb *Alisa Anderson ested in attending a Bible study during the day is wel- Larry Summerville Jimmy Jackson come to join in. Randall Carter Mary Frances Koch Jerri Johnson Liz Dawson Micah Skelton Janice Gray Cortney Johnson Patricia Strauss Bud Freeman The United Methodist Men meet Ken Smith Rita Scott every third Saturday. At 7am we Lee Shaffer Sheila Readdy gather to prepare the food and at Rev. Glenn Dyer Shirley Freeman 8am we have breakfast. Come on David Parker Barbara- friend of Frissells out guys and let’s have some Mark Johnson Tim Simmons Family of Jim Henry good food and fellowship. Linda- Donna Lollar’s sister Family of William "Bill" Kathlee Frizzell Terry Mother of Bo Shealy Family of Gwen McDavid Will Foss Family of Will Kerdsom- Lee Gay boone’s father John Denny and family

Emery Folsom LONG TERM PRAYER LIST J OY C IRCLE Paula Newbold The Joy Circle of the UMW meets Bill Newbold *Cora Johnson every third Thursday at Carolyn McInturff *Pansy Horton Teri Roper 7:00pm in the *Donna Thomas Gail Quinteros Fellowship Hall

Joy Circle’s Annual Dinner Out Joy Circle’s annual dinner out will be Thursday, August 19th. This year we are going to Mr. Krab’s Hut at 2015 Mount Zion Road in Morrow. We will meet at the church at 6:30 PM to carpool to the restaurant. They have a great menu selection which you can check out on their website. Everyone is invited to go, but we do need a headcount by Sunday, August 15th. There will be a sign up sheet in the church Narthex.

Sunday Servants

August 01, 2021 Ushers: Team 1: Harold Moore, Jeanette Moore, Mary Ann Hill, Cathy Bell

Calvary Refuge Center August 08, 2021 Feeding the homeless at Calvary Refuge Center is on / Ushers: Team 2: Nick Sparks, Liz Sparks, Donna Lollar Acolytes: Dayvon Duncan & Noah Duncan August 14th. We will meet at 4:00 pm to prepare sandwiches and Food for Dinner. We will leave for August 15, 2021 Calvary at 5:30 pm. Please join them for this ministry Ushers: Team 3: Charlie Henderson, Linda Henderson. to the homeless in our area. Sheila Ricks Acolytes: Zoey Hudson, Gabrielle Williams

Every year when the Honduras Mission Team is in Hon- August 22, 2021 duras, we make sure that we read this as encourage- Ushers: Team 1: Harold Moore, Jeanette Moore, ment. It was first given to us by Vennie Walden and we Mary Ann Hill, Cathy Bell thank her.

August 29, 2021 Ushers: Team 2: Nick Sparks, Liz Sparks, Donna Lollar Acolytes: Dayvon Duncan & Noah Duncan

We will not have a regular nursery schedule for the re- mainder of 2021, but if you or another worshiper is in need of putting a child in the nursery, please see an usher. We have volunteers who are available.

August 2021

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11:00 AM Sunday Worship 11:00 AM Caring for 12:00 PM Pastor's 9:00 AM Food Co- Church office closed 11:00 AM Girl Scout (WC) The Aging Series Bible Study op Meeting (FH) SU 623 (FH) drive (CH) 7:00 PM Praise by shoe collection 7:00 PM Backpack Band Practice (WC) Buddies (FH)

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 11:00 AM Sunday Worship 11:00 AM Caring for 12:00 PM Pastor's 7:00 PM Praise Church office closed 4:00 PM Calvary (WC) The Aging Series Bible Study Band Practice (WC) Refuge (FH) 3:00 PM Girl Scout Troop (CH) 242 (FH) 11:00 AM Lunch Bunch 6:30 PM Finance Committee in per- son in chapel 7:00 PM Church Council in person in the chapel 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Beans&Rice and Friends 12:00 PM Pastor's 9:00 AM Food Co- Church office closed 8:00 AM United House Sunday Bible Study op Meeting Methodist Men's 11:00 AM Sunday Worship 7:00 PM Praise Meeting (WC) Band Practice (WC) 7:00 PM UMW Joy Circle Meeting (FH)

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 11:00 AM Sunday Worship 11:00 AM Lunch 12:00 PM Pastor's 7:00 PM Praise Church office closed (WC) Bunch Bible Study Band Practice (WC) 3:00 PM Girl Scout Troop 242 (FH)

29 30 31 1 2 3 4 11:00 AM Sunday Worship 12:00 PM Pastor's 9:00 AM Food Co- Church office closed (WC) Bible Study op Meeting (FH) 7:00 PM Praise Band Practice (WC)