Annual Ritual - The Bethany Christmas Pageant

King Herod created a rush business for the innkeeper.



The Star of Bethlehem lighted the way to one little inn.



Three Wise Men sought the newborn King, but on the night of the pageant, one had the flu.



Angels appeared...



... to shepards watching their flocks.



Mary and Joseph with Baby Jesus in a manger. Their little donkey never left their side.



Direction and narration for the pageant.



And after the pageant, children all of all ages sought Santa Claus.

Jericho Ringers Preparing for Christmas Services

Christine Beeman, left, and Jancie Cahoon, along with all the Jericho Ringers of Bethany are rehearsing overtime for performances each Sunday in Advent and for Christmas Eve Communion to be held at Arapahoe Free Will Baptist Church.

Group 5 Has Fun at Christmas Party

Photos by Emily Harper

The Bethany Women's Circle Group 5 had a good turnout and a lot of fun at the annual Christmas party at Rebecca Cowell's house Dec. 10

Bethany's Jericho Ringers Perform at Oriental's Spirit of Christmas

Jericho Ringers Will Play in Oriental's Spirit of Christmas, Church

The Jericho Ringers will be performing in Oriental's Spirit of Christmas Saturday, Dec. 8. They will play beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Croakertown, across the street from Scoots. Please take your family, friends and neighbors to enjoy our Jericho Ringers' performance!

Also, the Jericho Ringers will play special Christmas music in our church worship services Dec. 9 and Dec. 23. Don't miss either performance!

The Old Oak Tree Comes Down

Photo by Tommy Banks

The oak tree that stood near the northeast corner of the church property was taken down unceremoniously Monday morning, Dec. 3. It had stood beside the sanctuary that was destroyed by fire June 25, and itself was damaged by the fire. It's sad to see an old friend go.

Join Us at the Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service

As we celebrate this Christmas season, it is important to take time to reflect on God's gift to us of the Christ Child. Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service provides the opportunity to do that, to renew our faith and dedication to God's work and to join with our church family and Christians around the world to proclaim, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King."

Please share this sacred time with us at 8:00 pm at the Arapahoe Free Will Baptist Church.

Make a Christmas Offering to Help Regional Ministry

One way we can express our love for God is to make an offering, especially appropriate at Christmas, when God shows us the great love of the gift of Jesus. Through our offerings we help make the presence of Jesus known, especially here in North Carolina.

The Christmas offering is used for our regional ministries only, and the bulk of support of our North Carolina Region comes from the Christmas offering. At Bethany we have felt directly our region's presence recently as our regional minister guided us in our Faithful Planning process, and began working to help as we search for a new minister. The offerings of sister congregations, along with our own, makes those and many other services available throughout North Carolina.

Please give generously through the envelopes that will be provided in worship Dec. 16and 23.

Bethany Sends Shoe Boxes to Operation Christmas Child

Bethany's outreach committee in November sent 62 shoe boxes with gifts for children to Operation Christmas Child's processing center in Charlotte. They will be among 8 million distributed around the world where needed this Christmas. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Fifth Sunday Potluck Dinner Set for Dec. 30

The 5th Sunday Potluck covered-dish dinner will be held after the worship service at Camp Caroline, Sunday, Dec. 30. (Could this be a way to get rid of your Christmas dinner leftovers?) Please join us and bring a covered dish and/or a dessert!

Prime Timers Seeking Volunteers to Plan, Drive

The Prime Timers are seeking volunteers to plan the mystery dining destinations and drive the Prime Timers in the church van.

Some volunteers also are needed to drive Miss Anna Bissette to church when Ben Casey cannot do so.

If you can help with either, please sign up at the church office, or for more information, contact James Hardison.

CWF Missions Needs Volunteers

Christian Womens Fellowship Missions Chair Mary Ann Sugg is asking people to volunteer to provide emergency transportation when needed. Please contact Mary Ann Sugg or the church office if you can help.

Food Pantry Collection Sunday is Dec. 23

At this time, no canned vegetables are needed for the food pantry; however, items that are needed include canned meat products, juices, peanut butter, breakfast foods, nutritious snack items, pasta products, gravy and sauce mixes. Please bring some of these items on food collection Sunday, Dec. 23.

Bethany Bricks Still Available

Bethany memorial bricks with engraved placques still are available for a $50.00 donation to the rebuilding fund. Stop by the church office or contact Terry Cannan.

Fundraising Committee Hosts Booth at Arts & Crafts Fair

Bethany's fundraising committee will host a booth at the Arts & Crafts Fair Saturday, Dec. 1, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Craven County Fairgrounds.

Come Help Hang the Greens!

Bethany's annual Hanging of the Greens is Friday, Nov. 30, at 6:00 p.m., followed by fellowship and a hot bowl of chili. Please celebrate with us as we begin this most joyful season of the year!

Forster Memorial Service to be Held Saturday

A memorial service for John Forster, a beloved member of the Bethany church family, will be held Saturday, Nov. 24 at 3:00 p.m. in the Arapahoe United Methodist Church. Beginning at 2:00 p.m., the family will receive visitors at Arapahoe UMC. Burial will be later in the Arlington National Cemetery.

The church family extends its sympathy, prayers and Christian love to his family.

Church Orders New Computer, Projector

Thanks to our fellow Disciples at First Christian Church, Rocky Mount, the church will be getting a new computer soon, along with an LCD projector. The congregation of First Christian, after the fire that destroyed Bethany's sanctuary and fellowship hall, graciously donated money earmarked for a new computer.

After studying the needs of the church and determining specifications for a computer that will meet the needs, the communications committee Nov. 4 recommended the purchase of a computer and LCD projector to the board, which approved the purchase. The computer, a laptop, will be able to host church records and also provide the ability, along with the projector, for presentation graphics. The purchase will fill a concrete need that has existed for some time.

CWF Reports Successful Harvest Dinner

Melissa Watson reports that the CWF Harvest Dinner held Nov. 3 at the Arapahoe Free Will Baptist Church was a Success and that the dinners were sold out quickly.

Bethany Honors Gary and Stephanie Edge

On the last day of his ministry at Bethany Christian Church, Gary and Stephanie Edge were honored at a reception at the church's pavilion. They will return to their home state of Alabama where Gary will begin a new ministry there. In prayer, John Beeman, Jr. thanked the family for their six years of service while praying for new blessings to be bestowed upon them in their new church home.

New Elders Sworn In

New elders, Chris Watson, left, Julia Peterson, and Mac Harris were sworn in during a special dedication as part of the morning worship on Sunday, October 28.

Stewardship Pledges to be Dedicated, Sunday, October 28

The Stewardship Campaign for the 2008 calendar year will culminate in a dedication of the pledges, Sunday, October 28. Seeing such a large turn-out for Homecoming makes us all realize the great number of lives touched by the ministry at this church. This Stewardship Campaign is for just that, the ministry of this church that touches lives. Please give prayerful thought as you make a pledge to help Bethany continue in this ministry of sharing God's love.

Please keep in mind, your pledge, in some ways, is your personal expression of being an evangelist for Jesus Christ, for with your pledge, the word of Jesus is shared. Stewardship is thus a personal committment to God. With our collective stewardship, the budgetary leaders of the church can map out a plan for the best ways for the ministry of this church to grow. Consequently, the growth of this church, not just in numbers of members, but more importantly, spiritually, is tied to our personal committments to God.

Maxine Angel's Funeral to be Held Saturday, Visitation Tonight

Maxine Angel, a longtime member of Bethany, died Wednesday at 3:00 P.M. Her funeral will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Bethany Pavilion. Rev. Gary Edge will officiate.

Visitation will be today, Friday, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Bethany Christian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 156, Arapahoe, NC 28510.

Rebuilding Plans and Funds Update

Bethany's rebuilding committee is working hard to get to the point where some preliminary floor plan ideas can be shared with the church family, which can provide feedback for the process. At the same time, in order to narrow down a plan, we will need to know the funds available.

At this time, the rebuilding committee's best estimate is that it will cost a minimum of around $900,000 for replacing the same building square footage that we lost, and that with furnishings and any expansion to better serve our needs, the range could be between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Based on what has been donated and how much we have raised so far, we still have a way to go to reach the amount it is anticipated we will need just to replace what we had and to furnish the new building.

Please consider this as you plan your support for the rebuilding effort at Homecoming and Giving Sunday, Oct. 21.

Harvest Dinner Set for Nov. 3

The CWF's Harvest Dinner will be held at the Arapahoe Free Will Baptist Church on NC 306 S on Nov. 3, beginning at 5:00 p.m. and lasting until 7:00 p.m., or until sold out. Plates are $7.00 each.

Stewardship Campaign Begins

The annual campaign to raise funds for the church budget will conclude October 28. Church members will receive special mailings in the very near future emphasizing the importance of creating the funds necessary to meet the church's operating expenses.

According to Ben Casey, 2007 Stewardship Chair, "While it is so vital that we raise funds to build a new sanctuary and education building, it is absolutely necessary that we raise funds to meet operational expenses. Our challenges are perhaps greater than the challenges of the congregation of 1840. We have to not only survive, but we must thrive. All of the people, locally, regionally, and nationwide, who have poured out their love for this congregation in the aftermath of the fire are counting on us. Stewardship is part of our spiritual journey, recognizing that what we give is so small in comparison to what God gave us on the cross."

What Fun One Misses When One Misses Church Activities

Those who missed the Bethany Concert Saturday evening missed a good time. Some can only wonder how good a good time!

The music festival raised over $1,200 for Bethany's Rebuilding Fund!

Bethany thanks Sara and Simon Spalding for organizing the event, the fundraising committee for the food, and special thanks to Pepsi of New Bern (Minges Bottling), Harris Teeter, Piggly Wiggly, Wal-Mart, Sandra Faulkner, Kelly and Buck Jones and the ladies of the church for the donation of food and beverage items, John Cannan and John Beeman for grilling, and to all who helped set up and clean up.

Arapahoe Music Festival Program Set

Saturday, October 6, Bethany Christian Church Pavilion, Corner of NC Highway 306 South and Seafarer Road (Bethany Crossing)
Bring your own lawn chairs and/or blankets. Food concession available.

Admission: FREE. Love offerings to benefit rebuilding of Bethany Christian Church gratefully accepted!

Festival Time: 5:00 p.m. to around 8:30 p.m.

Introductory Remarks & Opening Prayer
Rev. Gary Edge, Bethany Christian Church

Centenary United Methodist Church Praise Team
Contemporary Christian Praise & Worship Music
(Dana Scott, Duffy Huffman, Judi Epps, Cindy Polo, Gary & Nan Barker, Deanie Singleton, Bill Pritchett, Ty Arrowood, Director Simon Spalding)

John & Cathy Hurt
Southern Gospel Music

Craven Brass Quintet
Dixieland, Traditional American and Classical Brass Favorites
(Dan Jones, Frank Swanson, Art Gottschalk, Chris Mele, Dorothy Lupton)

Frank Murphy
Irish Folk Music

The RetroRockets
Vintage Rock & Roll
(Simon Spalding, Chris Kling, Bill Pritchett)

Tuppence & Friends
Hymn Sing-Along Finale
(Simon & Sara Spalding & other performers)

Music Festival Volunteers Needed!

Volunteers are needed to help set up for the Arapahoe Music Festival Saturday, October 6, around 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For further information, please contact Sara Spalding, 259-5176.

MumFest Booth Volunteers Needed!

Bethany will have a booth at MumFest Saturday, October 13, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 14, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be two raffles: a large gift basket filled with donated items, and a queen-sized quilt raffle.

The fundraising committee needs 2-3 volunteers per 2-hour shift at the booth on Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14. Not many have signed up to help so far, so please volunteer! For further information, please contact Terry Cannan, 670-0030 or 249-2422.

Barbecued Chicken Dinner Raises Over $3,600!

Merritt Watson tends to the chickens.


Photo by Tommy Banks

The barbecued chicken dinner Sept. 22 netted over $3,600 that will benefit Bethany’s rebuilding fund.

Organized by Bethany’s fundraising committee, the event had a great turnout of volunteers, all of whom had a good time working for a new church building.

The fundraising committee and the Bethany church family wish to thank the following people, businesses and organizations for their help, without which the church could not have been so successful: Merrit Watson for serving as our chief chicken cook; all the men who helped cook chickens and/or provided cookers; Eastern Propane for donating the gas for the cookers; Belangia's for ordering the chickens and rolls and giving us a good deal; all the women of Bethany who provided cakes and tea; Roland humphrey for donating the coleslaw; the Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Department for allowing us to use their facilities; Armstrong's Grocery in New Bern for donating some paper goods; everyone who helped prepare and serve; all who helped clean up; members of the fundraising committee for planning and organizing; and everyone in the community who supported the event.

Stewardship Committee Meets: Makes Decision

The church's stewardship committee met briefly after Sunday School on September 23. The members of the committee made one important decision, to not only meet Sunday, September 30, but to come away from that meeting with the defined plan for a stewardship campaign. The committee will attempt to emphasize that while the church has a capital campaign coming for building a new church, the church must continue to practice stewardship for the operational, evangelistic, educational, and outreach missions of the congregation. These activities are ongoing while funds are being raised to build a new sanctuary, education building, and fellowship hall to replace what was destroyed by fire.

Stewardship Committee Making Plans for Committment Sunday

The Stewardship Committee, Ben Casey, Johnny Cahoon, Jenny Kennel Adams, and Rex Horne, have talked informally about plans for a Commitment Sunday to conclude this year's campaign to establish the level of giving that will sustain the church for the coming fiscal year. While Homecoming Sunday is Giving Sunday for the rebuilding of the sanctuary, Ben Casey noted, "We must not forget that we have to keep thriving as a church as we strive to build a new sanctuary and education building. We face challenges, great challenges, on two major fronts, maintaining church operations and building a new building. As Gary has said so many times in sermons, we are doing all of this because we are God's children, we love God and God loves us. This is a generation in the life of Bethany Christian Church that I know is ready to step up to the plate and hit home runs. This generation in the life of Bethany will be remembered for its commitment to God and to its commitment to the sustained bright future of this church."

Members of the Stewardship Committee will meet briefly after Sunday School, September 23, just prior to the Arapahoe FWB Church Homecoming.

Bethany Celebrates Miss Anna's 99th Birthday

Following the benediction, Sunday, September 16, Reverend Gary Edge stopped by Miss Anna Bissette's wheel chair as he departed the pulpit and rolled her ahead of him into the dining hall of Camp Caroline. The congregation followed for a "mini" surprise birthday party for Miss Anna. That's right - Miss Anna was four years old when the Bethany sanctuary that burned on June 25 was constructed. For all of us struggling to make it to church every Sunday in our hurried lives, let it be noted that Miss Anna is there every Sunday.

Still Time for Operation Christmas Child

There is still time to fill a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child! For more information, please call Barbara James, 249-0051.

First Christian Rocky Mount Youth Visit Bethany

Youth of First Christian Church, Rocky Mount, present choir robes to Bethany. (Photo by Emily Harper)



First Christian and Bethany youth enjoy cookout. (Photo by Tommy Banks)



They all had a good time swimming. (Photo by Tommy Banks)

Youth of First Christian Church, Rocky Mount, after a long drive, arrived at Bethany's worship service Sunday, Sept. 9, with gifts for Bethany.

After being welcomed by Bethany's youth, they gave choir robes to the choir, a CD player and CD's with Christian music to Bethany's youth, and presented Bethany with a check for $2,500.00 to be used to purchase a new computer.

Afterward, despite the drizzly weather, they had fun swimming in Camp Caroline's pool and dining at a cookout with Bethany's youth.

Everyone at Bethany is grateful to our fellow Christians at First Christian, Rocky Mount, and glad their youth could visit and enjoy the cookout and swimming.

Stewardship Committee will Meet Sunday

Ben Casey, stewardship committee chair, requests that committee members join him for a meeting immediately following the worship service Sunday, Sept. 16.

50 Cool Off with Homemade Ice Cream

The dessert table was a hit, too.


Anna Bissette, 99, and Diana Harper, 10 months, enjoy the ice cream social

Photos by Emily Harper

Humidity and cloudy weather didn't dampen the spirits of the 50 folks who cooled off with delicious homemade ice cream and enjoyed delicious desserts at the social hosted by Bethany's activity committee under the pavilion August 26. They ate around eight different flavors and celebrated the birthday anniversary of two Bethany members, Garland Cahoon and Emily Harper. Mrs. Anna Bissette, 99, had been looking forward to the event, and, like everyone else who attended, she wasn't disappointed. The hard work of the activities committee in hosting such a successful event is appreciated!

Fundraising Committee Notes Upcoming Events

Sep. 22 Barbecue Chicken Dinner, 11:00 am, Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Dept. 35 pound cakes needed, cut into 16 slices, wrapped and bagged; 40 gal. sweet tea needed; cookers and cooks and volunteers needed.

Oct. 6 Bethany Music Benefit, 5:00 pm, Pavilion. First annual Arapahoe Music Festival planned by Sara & Simon Spalding; variety of musical performers; hot dog plates, $5.00 per plate; Love offering donations; cupcakes needed for desserts; bring your own lawn chairs or blankets; invite everyone!

Oct. 13-14 MumFest, 9:30 am to 6:30 pm Saturday, 10:30 am to 5:00 pm Sunday, New Bern. Bethany will host a booth and raffle a gift basket; handcrafted items or other donations needed prior to Oct. 11; volunteers needed to staff the booth both days, 2 to 3 per 2-hour shift; 80,000 are expected to attend.

Oct. 21 Giving Sunday, Homecoming. Special envelopes will be available for giving to Bethany's rebuilding fund.

Oct. 21 Bethany Bricks on hand for Homecoming. $50.00 per brick with engraved brass plaque attached. Purchase a momento from the burned church building.

Christmas in August for Little Children Around the World

At a time when Bethany Christian Church is on the receiving end of so many gifts to help rebuild the sanctuary and fellowship hall, members of Bethany have not forgotten that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. Led by Barbara James, church members have again packed shoe boxes full of educational and fun items for needy and disadvantaged children around the world. Franklin Graham's organization, Samaritan's Purse, will distribute these at Christmas to share the joy of the birth of Christ, in many cases to little children who have never heard of Christ.

Pound Cakes and Sweet Tea Needed!

The fundraising committee needs 32 pound cakes and 40 gallons of sweet tea for the barbecued chicken dinner Sept. 22.

If you can bake 1 to 2 pound cakes (sliced in 16 pieces wrapped or bagged)and make 1 to 2 gallons of sweet tea in jugs, please call Terry Cannan at 249-2422 or 670-0030.

The cake and tea must be delivered to the Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Department by 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22.

History Project Needs Memories!

Church Historian Shirley Ensley wants your memories! The history committee is preparing a display for homecoming that will include an I remember when... collection.

Perhaps you have childhood memories of Bethany, or remember stories told by parents or grandparents. Please share your memories with a sentence, a paragraph or a short story. Also, photographs of the church building--inside or outside--are needed.

Shirley asks that everyone participate, whether long-time or short-time members or attendees. All have memories to share.

Please provide your memories to Shirley or Roger Ensley, Clara Ensley or Floyd Hardison, or drop your memories by the church office.

Arapahoe Free Will Baptist Church Sends Thanks Along with Donation

Terry Cannan received the following note:

Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

We wish to thank all of you for your participation in the fundraiser. Some brought cookies out for us to use, some stayed up all night with my husband cooking pigs, some of you came out to help chop the pigs and others helped in serving and clean-up. Many of you came out to buy plates, thank each of you for your support. We share in your loss and hope that our efforts whelped in your goal to rebuild your church building.

In Christian love,
Donna Altman and the Arapahoe FWB Church Family

This note was accompanied by a check for more than $7,000.00 in proceeds from the barbecue plate fundraiser sponsored by Arapahoe FWB Church.

Fundraising Committee Organizes Chicken Barbecue

Bethany’s fundraising committee has organized a chicken barbecue to benefit Bethany’s rebuilding effort. It is to be held Saturday, Sept. 22 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Department.

The eat-in or take-out dinner will consist of one-half chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, roll, dessert and tea. Each plate is $7.00.

After Labor Day, the committee will be recruiting cakes, cookers and workers for the event, so be prepared to volunteer!

For more information, contact Terry or John Cannan, 249-2422 or 670-0030.

First Annual Arapahoe Music Festival to be Held October 6

The First Annual Arapahoe Music Festival Benefit Concert will be held October 6 beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Bethany Christian Church pavilion at the crossroads in Arapahoe. While admission is free, donations will be gratefully accepted. All proceeds will benefit the Bethany Christian Church rebuilding project.

The event will feature gospel and praise music, oldies and more. There will be food concessions, but those attending are asked to bring picnic chairs and blankets. Please put it on your calendar--you will not want to miss it!

Please check this site for further details: They will be posted as they become available.

Calendar Shows Seasons of the Christian Year

The church calendar now shows a column for "Liturgical Season (Seasons of the Christian Year)." It is left column, headed "LS*." The asterisk denotes that there is more information at the end of the calendar, where the liturgical season codes that can be found in the column are noted and described, along with liturgical colors. On the calendar, Sundays are highlighted with the color for the current liturgical season.

We Will "Lift Up Our Voices" Sunday, September 9

To replace the hymnals lost in the fire, we will "Lift Up Our Voices" during morning worship service Sept. 9, and place orders for new Chalice Hymnals.

Members and friends of Bethany will be able to designate hymnals ordered to the honor of, or the memory of, whomever they wish. The price of each hymnal is about $20.00.

Please come to worship Sept. 9 and place your order!

Rocky Mount Youth to Visit Bethany September 9

Youth of First Christian Church in Rocky Mount will visit Bethany Sept. 9. During the morning worship service on "Lift up our Voices" Sunday, they will present gifts to Bethany from First Christian, then join Bethany youth for a cookout and swimming at Camp Caroline. Come give a warm welcome to our Brothers in Christ from Rocky Mount!

Fundraising Committee Schedules Meetings

Bethany's fundraising committee has scheduled meetings at 7:00 p.m. in the church library on the following Thursdays: Aug. 23, Sept. 12 and Sept. 27.

Members of the committee are as follows: Co-chairs Terri & John Cannan, Tommy Banks, Janci Cahoon, Gary Edge, Sandra Faulkner, Margaret Harrell, Kelly Jones and Chris Watson.

The committee welcomes ideas and suggestions. Please contact any member to share your ideas or suggestions.

Dreams Survey Deadline Extended to August 31

The building committee has extended to August 31 the deadline for receiving thoughts, hopes and dreams survey responses for Bethany's new building.

Please share your dreams and visions for our new building by writing your thoughts down and dropping them into the offering plate at Sunday worship, mailing to the church at post office box 156, Arapahoe, NC 28510, emailing to minister@bethanyarapahoe.org, or dropping in the box at Bethany Hall.

Outreach Committee to Meet Sept. 13

The outreach committee will meet Thursday, Sept. 13, in the church library at 7:00 p.m.

Members of Bethany's Extended Family Reach Out

Rose Hill Baptist Church was having their Vacation Bible School the week
that your church burned. We decided to donate our offerings that week to
your rebuilding efforts and sent $500. My mother Dora Alice Banks Moritz
grew up in Arapahoe and in Bethany Christian Church (she is the daughter
of Leona and Rufus Banks, and sister to Phillip and Honey Banks). She is
now a member of Rose Hill Baptist along with her two daughters, Cindy and
Carol, and their families.

Attached is a picture of Kyle Murphy as he placed a donation in the basketball goal.
(it was a sport's theme!)

Best wishes in your rebuilding process!
Carol Murphy

Food Pantry Needs Paper Products

The outreach ministry team is appealing for paper products for the food pantry, including such items as paper towels, toilet paper, bath soap and laundry powder. Please help if you can.

Please Fill a Shoe Box for Operation Christmas Child

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me,…for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

"Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God's love."

The outreach committee is providing an opportunity for “Christmas in August” through giving for Operation Christmas Child. Bethany has participated for several years in Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, founded by Franklin Graham, son of Dr. Billy Graham.

The project collects shoe boxes filled with simple gifts and delivers them to children in need around the world. In 2006, Bethany collected 84 of the 7.6 million shoe boxes that were delivered to approximately 100 countries. The outreach committee set Bethany’s goal for this year at 80 shoe boxes, the same as for 2006.

Bethany always has given generously to outreach projects like Operation Christmas Child. Perhaps that is why Bethany is the recipient of generous gifts after the fire that destroyed the sanctuary building. But while Bethany lost a building, there are many in much worse need, including children, for whom these shoe boxes will provide a sign that we care about them. Please fill a shoe box this month.

The outreach committee wishes you Merry Christmas in August.

Youth Hold Raffle for $100 Lowe's Gift Card

Bethany youth are holding a raffle for a $100 Lowe’s gift card. Tickets for the drawing to be held Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Bethany 5th-Sunday potluck dinner, are $2.00 each, or three for $5.00.

Nickey Cannan sold almost $200 in tickets Sunday at Belangia’s supermarket.

We Want to Know Your Hopes and Dreams for Bethany's New Building

Dear Church Family,

As we begin our journey to rebuild it is important that we stay in contact with one another and with our Lord through prayer and sharing. Clear communication is a key to our successful rebuilding efforts. We want everyone to be heard so that the common good of God’s church is enhanced by all of us feeling a part of the exciting times upon which we now embark.

We need to hear from everyone: Tell us what you would like to see in Bethany’s new church building. We invite you to share your dreams and visions concerning our new building by writing your thoughts down and sending them to us as soon as possible.

Please bring your thoughts to the church office, where there is a box provided to deposit them, place them in the offering tray during worship at Camp Caroline, mail them, or e-mail them to minister@bethanyarapahoe.org.

“Now to Him by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” —Ephesians 3:20-21.

Chris Watson, Chairman
Official Board

Gary H. Edge
Minister

Camp Seafarer Sends Photo from Vespers Service

Immediately after the fire that destroyed the church sanctuary and fellowship hall, both Camp Seafarer and Camp Sea Gull reached out with tremendous help and support for our congregation. The entire congregation was invited to a vespers service at Camp Seafarer. The above photo taken at that vespers service was recently forwarded to the church.

Members of Bethany Christian Church will forever be grateful to this outpouring of love from the administrators, directors, counselors and especially the young campers from these camps.

Parker Watson - One Up on Lea Banks

A Nickey Cannan Photo

Lea banks said that when he was a youngster many decades ago, he would drink the left over grape Nehi used to make communion. Parker Watson has one up on Lea - help prepare communion and have the opportunity to drink all along - except Welch's grape juice is probably not as flavorful as Nehi grape.

Parker is also known for his spontaneously candid responses to Christine Beeman's questions during Children's Church.

Activities Committee Needs Sundae Sunday Volunteers

The activities committee is sponsoring "Sundae Sunday" August 26 beginning at 7:00 in the Bethany pavilion, and needs volunteers for ice cream, brownies and cake. Please contact Janci Cahoon at 249-0922.

New Gavel from an Old Bell Timber

Photos by Tommy Banks

During the church board meeting Sunday night, Garland Cahoon presented to Board Chairman Chris Watson (see top photo) a gavel that he turned from a salvaged 3-inch by 5-inch maple timber that supported Bethany's bell.

"It was the hardest piece of wood I ever turned," Cahoon said. "Maple is hard wood, and the fire hardened it more." The gavel (see bottom photo), which still has burned areas on it, will be used by Watson and future board chairs.

Arapahoe FWB Church to Hold Barbecue Fundraiser

Arapahoe Free Will Baptist Church is sponsoring a barbecue fundraiser to benefit Bethany's new building fund Saturday, August 11, at the Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Department. The barbecue begins at 11:00 a.m. Plates are $7.00.

The Free Will Baptist Church has asked the Bethany Church Family to supply 20 pound cakes for the barbecue. Please call Stephanie Edge at 249-6534 and let her know if you can provide a pound cake for the event.

Where it was…

Photo by Tommy Banks

Until this week, the ruins of Bethany's sanctuary and fellowship hall, which burned June 25, occupied the space between the church office (left) and the pavilion (right). In just a week Kenny Heath of Heath Trucking and Land Development completed demolition of the building and cleared the site, which is now seeded with grass.

The Bethany Church Family sincerely thanks Kenny Heath for his kindness, support and quick and professional service.

The Smoke Has Cleared - The Fund-Raising Must Begin

Easter 2006



June 25, 2007

Insurance will cover, at best, half of what is needed to build a new Bethany Christian Church. It is estimated that $400,000 to $500,000 will have to be raised in addition to the insurance proceeds to replace the 7,200 square feet of space that was destroyed.



Donors can donate to Bethany's new building fund securely through PayPal simply by clicking on the "Make a Donation" button at the top right of this page.

Donors also can make checks payable to Bethany Christian Church with a memo to designate the funds to Rebuild the Church, for which a separate bank account has been established. Send donations to Bethany Christian Church, PO Box 156, Arapahoe, NC 28510-0156.

Easter Follows Good Friday

A recurring theme in Gary Edge's words from the altar has been the observance that God provided Easter Sunday following the tragic events of Good Friday.

Sara and Simon Spalding are pictured above performing at the wedding of Carolyn Broughton and Ben Casey against a backdrop of the rubble left after the tragic Good Friday of Monday, June 25. Just as Carolyn and Ben begin life anew with the spirit of Easter, so does Bethany begin anew with the spirit of the resurrection of Easter.

Please visit this website and become a part of the Easter of Bethany Christian Church.

SANCTUARY SILL OLDER THAN CHURCH

Photos and story by Tommy Banks, edited by Mac Harris

After salvaging a sill from the burned sanctuary (see bottom photo), Tommy Banks discovered that the 8" x 8" by 24' timber was cut from the heart of a yellow pine tree.

Tommy counted 75 visible rings (see top photo), and says it is logical to assume that there were at least 25 more rings. Each ring represents a year's growth, so the tree was at least 100 years old when it was cut for construction of the sanctuary in 1912, 95 years ago.

That means the tree that died to help support our sanctuary for the past 95 years would have been about 200 years old, so it was a mature tree when Bethany was founded 167 years ago!

Outreach Ministry Team to Meet

By Mac Harris

The outreach ministry team will meet at 7:00 pm, Wednesday, August 8, in the church library.

Input?

Rebuilding is built on organization. The office of Bethany Christian Church is organized and ready to begin the step by step process of rebuilding a church home for Bethany Disciples.

Have ideas or suggestions?

The church office has a venue and forms for each Bethany Disciple to share and submit iseas about the future of the home for Bethany Christian Church . Stop by the church office to share your input.

Bethany Disciples Meet with Disciples Church Extension Representative

Compiled by Mac Harris

CHURCH EXTENSION REPRESENTATIVE MEETS WITH BOARD

Dee Long of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Church Extension
met with the Bethany Church Board and other church leaders Tuesday night
to let the church know what services they can provide. Long explained that
the main purpose of the meeting was to introduce the board to Church
Extension and how it can offer assistance and direction in dealing with
the aftermath of the fire as well as working through the rebuilding
process.

"God has called us (Church Extension) to be partners with congregations,"
she noted. "I want you to know that you're not by yourselves."

Long briefed the board on the how to work with an insurance company in
obtaining a settlement and how to approach the construction process. She
urged Bethany to "take your time" in dealing with both tasks, but stated
that while a committee is working toward obtaining a fair insurance
settlement, a building committee can begin the building process by getting
to a consensus on our construction "dream," then working with contractors
to gain cost estimates. In doing that, she reiterated, "take your time,
because when a building is built, it is too late to decide that it's not
exactly what you wanted."

Church Extension also can help with construction loans and fundraising,
Long said. She added that once an insurance settlement is reached and
"dream" plans are made, fundraising capacity can be estimated, then loan
capacity.

In answer to questions from board members, Long said now that she is more
familiar with Bethany and our mission, she soon will send Bethany more
information, stating that "building needs grow out of your mission
statement." She ended the meeting by advising the church leadership that
Church Extension will "work with you to the end."

Tommy Banks, a member of the church's communication committee photography team, submitted this photo from the visit by Dee Long.