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.