Just Squatters - Res.cloudinary

Bethel United Methodist ChurchKnowing, Loving, Serving.so the world will experience Christ’s love!August 2018www.bethelmethodistcolumbia.comJust Squatters“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive firstfor the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be givento you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow bring worriesof its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” — Matthew 6:31-34Ah! The fresh paint isdrying; my "to do" list isgetting shorter; the pileof boxes is finally gone!The Belman family hasmoved into the lovelyBethel parsonage, ourthird church house. Ican say with JOY thatit is staring to feel likeHOME.Bishop appoints me,I’ve learned a lot aboutthe concept of home.One lesson about homeis that we're all reallyjust squatters. Eventhose who own theirown homes really arejust squatters. Mostof us call home “myhouse” when it’s reallynot ours at all.mother choosing between paying the lightbill or putting gas in hercar. And I don't mean tobe glib about a real andgrowing problem. Butmaybe there's more ofa lesson in Matthew 6than what first meetsthe eye - typical of aparable of Jesus!If we all consider ourThe Gospel of Matthew selves squatters in thistells us not to worry.place, what worriesI used to scoff whilecould we let go of?I have a friend who is areadingthepassage(What room would IPresbyterian pastor'sfrom Chapter 6 abouthave left in my heart ifwife; they also live in aI could let go of that "togreat parsonage. When- how God will provideforusbecausewearedo list" that is dwindlingever folks complimentmore valuable than birds but not yet gone?) Jesusher on her home, sheof the air and lilies oftells us to strive firstsmiles and says, "Well,it's not ours; we're really the field. Tell that to the for the kingdom of GodFamily Promise children and not worry about ourjust squatters."sleeping at a differentlives. We're really justAfter living in New York church each week, orsquatters here anyway;City for several years,the hungry homelessour permanence is inthen Atlanta, and nowlined up for lunch atthe permanence of God.moving anywhere inTransitions, or the single We are only temporarySouth Carolina thetenants of this place, sowhile we are here arethere important thingswe can be worryingabout while letting go ofthe unimportant things?When I think of strivingfor the kingdom of Godas my main concern, Iimmediately think of thebeatitudes. They providesuch a poetic description of the kingdom ofGod – a kingdom wherethe poor, the mourners,the meek, the hungryand thirsty, the pure inheart, the peacemakers,the persecuted are ALLpresent and filled, laughing, receiving mercy,and in the blessedpermanent presence ofGod. No one is a squatter anymore!Grace and Peace to you,Rev. Julie Belman

WELCOME Bethel’s NewestMEMBERS!While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himselfcame near and walked with them.— Luke 24:15Come, Walk, Be with Christ! Experiece72-hours of Worship, Fun, Food, Fellowshipand Love! Come and BE!Welcome to our New Members:Heather Gallagher Brumbach, Claire,Amelia and Carolyn ArmstrongIf you had not yet had the JOY of meeting thesewonderful women, please seek them out and letthem know how thankful you are to have them asa part of the great family of God at Bethel UMC!GREAT NEWS! THE BUMS AREBACK—WITH NEW IDEAS FORTOURS AND TRAVELS!This year, everyone is invited to our Monday,August 6th, planning meeting at 1:30 pm in thenew journey classroom (NJC).We hope you’ll join us for the most excitingmeeting of the year. These meetings alwayslead to happy times spent together making funfilled plans for our fall excursions. And onceyou’ve shared a fall excursion with us you’resure to be a BUM!!Please join us August 7th be sure to bringalong any ideas (or full-blown thoughts or plans)for trips to places you have an urge to visit or forjust about anything else, anywhere else!We hope to see you soon!!—Your BUMS CommitteYou will enjoy three days of singing, learning, laughing,worshiping, reflecting, praying and participating insmall groups. Discussions center around fifteen talksgiven by laity and clergy. These talks present thetheme of God’s grace, how that grace comes alive inthe Christian community and how it is expressed inthe world. You’ll also discover how grace is real inyour life, how you live a life of grace, and how youbring that grace to others.You will have the opportunity to participate in the dailycelebration of Holy Communion and to understandmore fully the body of Christ. You will experienceGod’s grace through the prayers and acts of anonymousservice offered by the Emmaus community. You willleave with an experience of Christian love in actionthat will equip you for new levels of grace-filledservice and leadership.The objective of Emmaus is to inspire, challenge, andequip the local church members for Christian actionin their homes, churches, communities and places ofwork. Emmaus lifts up a way for our grace-filled livesto be lived and shared with others.UPCOMING EMMAUS WEEKENDSMen’s WalkOctober 18-21, 2018Women’s WalkOctober 25-28, 2018If you are interested in attending one of these weekends please contact Jason Barrs, Debbie and AlCarter, Sally Hafner, Brenda Harper, Arnette andRon Jordan, It will be a weekend you’ll neverforget! DeColores!

PRAY Daily for Bethel,Bethel friends & family!Passing on your FaithFrom Adam Hamilton’s book “Moses, In the Footsteps ofthe Reluctant Prophet”“If there is one theme that stands above the rest in the farewell discourses of Moses that make up the Book of Deuteronomy, it would be Moses’ concern that the Israelites pass onthe faith to their children. Thirty-eight verses in Deuteronomymention children.I (Hamilton) believe that Moses’ words in Deuteronomy continue to be the key to the future of faith. In teaching faith toour children, we don’t want to be guilty of “cramming it downtheir throats.” But I fear that, for most of us, that’s not theproblem. We may take our kids to church and even Sundayschool, but we sometimes fail to have meaningful, authenticconversations with them concerning what we really believeabout God, how we’ve seen God work in our lives, and whatwe have experienced of God in prayer and worship – conversations that are not forced but come out of our daily attemptsto walk with God.Herman Berry at home; StoneyStone; Myra Jackson; Leo Foster,Cindy Hynds; Betty Onley; NancyJohnson at The Blake; CarmenPool at Parkridge; Rosa Moon(broken arm); Cathy Crumpler’sneice, Michelle and family; Melanie Pruitt and family (loss of father unexpectedly) Harold Nally,Sarah Parker. Please continue tokeep these people in your heartsduring your daily prayer time.Continue to pray for Bethel, herleaders and her ministry.Intentionally sharing and living your faith is crucial so thatyour children and grandchildren know what you believe andhow it shapes your life and so that they see a real and authentic faith in you.” Submitted by Bonnie LutzOur Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service & WitnessOur PresenceChurch Attendance for June and July6/3 Worship: 118 SS: 686/10 Worship: 113 SS: 476/17 Worship: 142SS: 516/24 Worship: 144 SS: 497/17/87/157/22Worship 141Worship 182Worship 145Worship 148Our Gifts2018 Church BudgetReceived (6/30)Received (7/22)SS: 45SS: 63SS: 69SS: 68 367,280.0027,955.9223,361.94Keep our young adults in yourthoughts and prayers as theyare away at school. We wishthem much success.Clemson University–BrianBurger, Mary Sydney GeorgeLander University–McKenzie FurrUSC–Jennie Joe Wiltshire;Andrew Garnto; Dillon GarntoUSC Sumter–Alan FarmerJohns Hopkins–Abbie BowmanThe Citadel–Josh BowmanAuburn University Vet School–Kelly FarmerMidlands Tech–Dana Garnto

BLESSING OF THE BOOKBAGS ONSUNDAY, AUGUST 12thAll students are invited to bring their backpack, lunch box or any other bagthey carry to school for a special blessing in both9:00 and 11:00 worship services. Also each family is asked to bring a 8x10framed picture of each child to have for a special altar design.PEEPS BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY ONSUNDAY, AUGUST 12th FROM 4:30-6:00Join us for a time of games, snack and devotion, as wecelebrate a new school year!PRESCHOOLTEACHERRECOGNITIONSUNDAY,WHAT: GNC start-up this FallWHEN: Tuesday, September 25thWHERE: Satchel Ford Elementary SchoolHOW: Contact Debbie Carter, Sally Hafner or Jason BarrsNEEDS AS OF RIGHT NOW:Individually wrapped snacks (goldfish, chips, cookies, etc.)Small prizes (suckers, small toys, small coloring books, etc.)Financial donations (mark your check/envelope Good News Club)PRAYER !!AUGUST 19thJoin us in TraditionalWorship as we taketime to recognizeand pray a specialblessing on ourBethelPreschool Teachers.

Mountain Retreat Aug 12-15Reminder for those that are going,we will leave from the back parking lot NO LATER than 2:00 pm.Destination UnKnown Aug 26Just bring for food and anopen mind.AUGUST5Youth Outing12Blessing of Book Bags12-15Mountain Retreat26Destination UnKnownSEPTEMBERContact Jason Barrs803-318-6061if you have any questions about any upcoming events.9Parent Meeting16Regular Schedule Starts30Youth OutingSUCCESSFUL LAKE MURRAYSALKEHATCHIE WEEKWe had a wonderful week at camp a fewweeks ago. We were able to work on 4 sitefamily homes during the week. It was anincredible week of fellowship, meeting newfriends, good food, games, worship and hardwork.Thank you for your prayers anddonations and we look forward to next yearand taking a bigger group. Be on the lookout in a few weeks for a time to share all thethings we did throughout the week.