Ash Wednesday Worship at 7:00 pm. on February 22nd. Also, please join us every Wednesday during Lent at 6:30 pm for “Crossword”. Pastor Wes will be talking about our scripture reading for the day and applying those “words” to the “Cross”.

The next youth gathering will be February 15th at the Gabel’s home. Starting at 5:30 pm, there will be pizza and the showing of the movie “COURAGEOUS”.

The UMW Cut-Ups will be meeting at church again on Friday, February 17th from 9-noon. We will continue to cut sleepers, etc., for Bundles of Love. We will also be putting together a quilt from donated fabric and will have a few other projects that can be done. We need to finish the quilt we started to tie, perhaps mark kitchen towels. Who knows what we can do? Ironing often needs to be done before fabric is cut. This is a come for as long as you wish day. Working, having fellowship and a coffee time too! Call Jill Anderson with any questions.

Ladies of Bethany and Friends, Are you counting the days? Counting the days for what you say. Circle the dates of April 20, 21 & 22nd for an experience you will never forget. The Women's Retreat will be @ Kingswood Camp on those days. Gear up for friendships, time with God, and learn how your life can be a legacy. Speaker: Joy DeKok who is a national speaker and author. See you there. Questions call Marilyn Bradbury @289-2328 or E mail: msbradbury@live.com or call Jill Anderson @271-1466 or E mail: jkanderson@chartermi.net.

Bethany will be observing Human Relations Sunday. This is one of the six mission outreach Sundays observed by the United Methodist Church. The offering taken on Human Relations Day supports vital community ministries that teach and advocate for justice, especially among the struggling to survive in the margins of society. It helps to alleviate hunger and homelessness with hands-on programs. Your gift helps restore relationships through ministries like youth offender rehabilitation. It’s time to think and support justice, to become radical in changing lives and changing the world. Please give generously.

Currently over 40 people participate in Bethany's Prayer Chain Ministry. These persons take prayer requests by either phone or e-mail. They pray over concerns regarding specific situations or individuals, and also the blessings of life and joys to answered prayer. If you are not a current participant in this ministry and would like to know more, use the count me in sheet in your bulletin or contact Marsha Wasson 536-9114 or Sandy Cooper 288-0278.

Do you really believe that? What do you know about heaven? What will it be like? What does the bible say about heaven? If you've ever had questions like this we'd like you to join us as we read and study the bestselling book "Heaven is For Real". This is an astounding true story of a little boy's trip to heaven and back. "Heaven is For Real" will change forever the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see, and believe, like a child. Grab a cup of coffee and join us from 10:00am to 10:45am in the Bethany room. Questions? Contact Brian Cooper.

Out of 40 Days of Love comes a Bible Study . . . “Women of the Bible.” It is a helpful study for men and women. Jean E. Syswerda, the author, asks the participants some questions about the lives of the women being studied and then asks us about the way we would deal with the same thing in our own lives. Participants will be allowed to share their answers as they feel comfortable. I have been using this study at Realife Cooperative and residents there enjoy it. I think you will too. Join us in the Library this week and then the Jordan River at 9:30 am. Bill Bradbury

Will you be one who welcomes Rochester’s new residents for Bethany? All you need to say, if they come to the door is, “Welcome to Rochester! Here is a gift for you from Bethany Church. We hope you will pop in and visit us sometime.” If you are willing to make a few calls like that stop at the Visitor Center and talk to the Attendant or talk to Bill Bradbury (289-2328) for more details.

There are Prayer Shields available in the Narthex for anyone who wishes to join in daily prayer for our Bethany family members.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry would like to remind everyone that shawls are available to anyone. It doesn’t have to be a member of our church and it doesn’t have to be someone who is sick. It can be anyone that could use a hug from God for any reason, even someone in another state. Contact Linda Reid at 279-4071 or 281-4040.

Mission emphasis for February will support NOMADS. NOMADS is a mission outreach ministry of the United Methodist Church. The NOMADS program is directed to individuals and couples with RVs who wish to be involved in Christian service. NOMADS work for the benefit of United Methodist-related agencies such as churches, church camps, homeless shelters, children’s homes, mission agencies, and disaster relief agencies. They also work at the homes of needy families through host agencies.

Bethany Church has been blessed to have members which have been regular participants in the NOMADS program. Gary and Marilyn Collins and Ron and Nancy Paine will travel to Alabama in February to work at a church camp. Don and Maxine have worked at many similar projects in past years.

NOMADS is funded partially by the participants and partially by the General Board of Global Ministries. Your contributions to Missions in February will go to a GBGM Advance Special which provides funds for needed materials and supplies.

We are asking everyone to stop for a minute every day at noon and pray for our church ministries and provisions. Along with that, we ask that anyone who is able, to fast one meal a week for our church ministries and provisions. There is a tear off slip on the back of the bulletin for you to display in your home as a reminder.

In order for our prayer life to be complete, it is important that we do not overlook prayers of praise and thanksgiving.

Often, it seems, our prayers focus on asking God to meet our wants and needs. Certainly this is an important and necessary part of our spiritual relationship with God, but maybe we should also consider prayers of praise and thanksgiving as part of our prayer life.

To encourage a fuller prayer life we are providing a bulletin board outside the pastor’s office for your use in sharing these prayers of joy. Posted prayers can be signed or unsigned. You may use the cards attached to the bulletin board or you can email your Praise Prayers to Sue at music@bethanyum.com and she will post them.

“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders, I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2

Imagine us reading through the New Testament together! Five chapters a week is all it takes. Please join us and pick up a schedule for the weekly readings at the Welcome Center. There are two layouts to choose from. Last week was Matthew 21 – 25. This week is Matthew 26 – Mark 2:22. Also join us in using the Transformation Prayer Guide: Heal My Land, which is also available at the Welcome Center. Today begins week #6 on page 10.

Luke Knopp - healing from and with heart surgery (Cathy Knopp's grandson) Bill Cofer - healing from leukemia and its treatment; Richard Josselyn recovering from shoulder surgery; Lyman Felstead facing back surgery; Eric Rindels battling a serious illness, John Clark with multiple health issues, Mickie Stelck convalescing at home;; Lawrence Zebaugh suffering difficult and chronic health concerns; our international missionaries: Terry & Muriel Henderson; new residents in Rochester and our welcome ministry to them, the unity of Jesus' church in the Rochester area, and a spiritual awakening of the people and transformation of life in the Greater Rochester area.

There is now a new way to cut and save the Campbell’s soup labels. The front label is no longer accepted. We need to save the UPC label and the Labels for Education symbol (all in one piece). If you have questions, check out the UMW bulletin board or just turn in the entire label, making sure the UPC and the education symbol are in one piece. We also collect and send in the Boxtops for Education.

In the interest of building security and safety the following guidelines will apply. During evening meetings, gatherings, and choir practice all exterior doors are to be locked. The individual in charge of the group or gathering will be in charge of securing the building when leaving. All secure office doors are to be locked unless occupied by the person to whom the office is assigned.

If something needs repair, please leave a note with particulars and your name in the church office or the Trustees mailbox. If it is an emergency, please call a Trustee.

While the men’s group is financing the food for this project and the women’s group supplies the paper products, we as a church are asked to serve one another. This is just one way to serve. I welcome your service and ask God to bless the activities of preparation each Sunday as we greet each other in fellowship over coffee and treats. Please consider being a part of this team by contacting Denny Butterbaugh at 289-8898.

Copies of the Sunday sermons are available on CD call the church office to make arrangements to get one.

Visit www.prayrochester.com. Join Christians of many denominations who gather in homes and churches to cover Rochester night and day in prayer and worship! These united efforts are scheduled on Prayrochester.com! In addition, a team from Pray Rochester worships and prays on behalf of Rochester and its pastors weekly: Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 am; and the third Thursday of each month from 11:30 am to 1 pm (during Rochester’s Evangelical Pastors' Fellowship meetings). Extended worship and prayer for the city occur Thursday evenings: 8:30 to 10 p.m.; and Saturdays: 7:45 to 9:15 p.m. People with a heart for this work are invited to join them. Call Greg and Deborah McIntire at 280-1948.

There is also the opportunity of giving stock to Bethany as a special gift in support of the building fund or as a memorial or for any other reason. This may also be advantageous for you in tax planning. There is an account set up for this at Bethany and it is a fairly simple procedure. If you have any questions or would like help in taking advantage of this plan, please talk to Marilyn Collins at 356-4433.

Did you know that you can give to Bethany through Electronic Funds Transfer? Some people find that this option helps them to be faithful in their stewardship of their resources. Using this allows you to set the amount you would like to give weekly or monthly and it is automatically transferred. No more envelopes to fill out each week. You can change or cancel at anytime.

The Sunday School is providing children’s activity bags for use during the worship service. These are available by the table in the narthex each Sunday. Each bag contains a sticker activity, coloring book, and activity book. Please feel free to have your children use these during the service and return the bag to the rack after the service. Children are free to take home the pictures they have created.

If you know of a college student that would like to receive their own copy of the Bethany newsletter each month, please give their name and address to either Ed Fishel or leave the names in the church office for Sara.