Death Notice

We are sad to learn of the death of the father of Guy Cowell, Carroll Allen Cowell, Jr. A graveside service will be held today at 1 p.m. at the Cowell Cemetery in Alliance. Visitation will follow the service. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family, and rejoice in his life and the knowledge that he now lives in Christ.

Death Notice

We are sad to learn of the death of the father of Guy Cowell, Carroll Allen Cowell, Jr. A graveside service will be held today at 1 p.m. at the Cowell Cemetery in Alliance. Visitation will follow the service. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family, and rejoice in his life and the knowledge that he now lives in Christ.

Spaldings Present Irish Music Program

Music Director Sara Spalding and her husband, Simon, will present a program of Irish Music Sunday, March 14, beginning at 6 pm. Refreshments will be served. Coincidentally, the program is just before St. Patrick's Day. Will the refreshments be green?

CWF Holds Ham Dinner & Silent Auction

Bethany's Christian Women's Fellowship will host a Ham Dinner & Silent Auction in the fellowship hall beginning at 5:00 pm, Saturday, March 13. Plates will be $7.00.
Items are needed for the silent auction. If you can help with items, or with the dinner, please contact Janci Cahoon, 249-0922, or Joy Carawan, 514-5343.

24 Hours that Changed the World: A Lenten Study by Adam Hamilton

During the seven weeks of Lent we will be offering on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM the opportunity for you to examine with us the final hours of the life of Jesus. Our study will begin on Wednesday, February 17th. We will share together in a “simple meal” before we begin our study. We hope this will free up those of you who are concerned with squeezing in supper preparations for your family before you can leave for church. Our study will begin as soon as we finish with our meal and will conclude no later than 8:30.

Our study materials are based on Adam Hamilton’s 24 Hours That Changed the World. He has written a book that we will use to compliment the study. It is available for the price of $15.00. He has also put together a book of brief reflections for the 40 days of Lent that will enhance our time together. It is available for $8.00. It is not necessary to purchase either of these to participate in the study. You will find them helpful if you have them but not essential. We will depend in large measure upon the Scriptures, especially the Gospel of Mark for the content of our study. So bring your Bibles. In addition the study is accompanied with video presentations of places in and around Jerusalem where Jesus spent the 24 hours preceding his death.

Our search will not be simply for knowledge about what happened in those 24 hours but for meaning and understanding. No single event has changed more lives around the world than the death of Jesus. He was despised and rejected for the brokenness of all humanity. And all who look to him in faith find their healing and salvation. As we journey with Jesus through the final 24 hours of his life we will be asking ourselves what is the meaning of his suffering, death, and resurrection for us. How do we find ourselves in the story of his ministry and life? What might we understand differently by seeing ourselves in the places where Jesus was?

We hope you will make the journey with us. 24 Hours That Changed the World could be a study that will change you. Come and see.

Board Game Night Scheduled for Feb. 20

The Activities Committee is hosting another board game night beginning at 6 pm, Saturday, Feb. 20. All are invited to bring finger food and enjoy a night of fun and fellowship.

Elders & Deacons Workshop at Christmount Scheduled for March

Dr. Margaret Ralph, Director of M.A. Program for Roman Catholic Students at Lexington Theological Seminary (LTS), will host an Elders & Deacons Workshop at Christmount March 5 and 6. The workshop is cosponsored by LTS and the Christian Church in North Carolina.

Registration cost includes Friday night lodging in motel accomodations, Friday dinner, and Saturday breakfast and Lunch at Christmount. The registration deadline is Feb. 27. More information is available on the registration form, the link to which follows.

Elders & Deacons Workshop Brochure.pdf

Congregational Transformation Event Will Be Held at Barton College

The Christian Church in North Carolina is holding a God's Positioning Spirit (GPS) event on Congregational Transformation Jan. 22-23 at Barton College in Wilson. The registration deadline is Jan. 11, and the registration cost is $40.00, meals included.

For those interested and able to attend, a registration form is provided below; just click on the link.

Click here for the Congregational Transformation GPS Registration Form.pdf

Time for Camp Registration

To register for a Christian Church camp in North Carolina, print out the registration form below.
2010 Camp Registration Form.pdf

First Christmas Play and Party Held in New Building

The first Children's Christmas Play was presented in the new sanctuary the fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 20, followed by a party in the fellowship hall, the highlight of which was an appearance by Santa Claus.

The children put on an enjoyable performance, their innocence a perfect reminder of the innocence of the Christ child. Following, everyone had refreshments in the fellowship hall while merry ole Santa Claus passed out presents and spread cheer. It was a wonderful lead-up to our celebration of the birth of Christ.

This was the setting for the children's play…



which had animals…


and angels.

Play photos by Emily Harper

Then everyone had punch and cookies and looked on…


As the jolly old elf passed out presents.

Party photos by Carol Horne

Please Help with our Outreach Projects

Bethany is helping two families this Christmas, and Outreach needs your monetary donations. We only have three weeks to finish the project in time for a few days to spare at Christmas to get the last-minute thing for our two families. Please help our outreach efforts any way you can! Pick up a tag at church Sunday, or send a donation to the church office, PO Box 156, Arapahoe, NC 28510.

As another part of our outreach program, Bethany church family members are helping the Salvation Army by ringing the bells for donations at the Grantsboro Piggly Wiggly on Saturday, Dec. 12, but we need volunteers for the following shifts:

3 pm to 4 pm
4 pm to 5 pm
5 pm to 6 pm

Please volunteer by calling Terry Cannan, 249-2422, or emailing her at tandjcannan@embarqmail.com.

Hanging of the Greens Looks Like Fun!

The greens were hung Friday, Nov. 27, and the folks who helped had a lot of fun, as well as a satisfying meal. Thanks to all of them!

Here are some pictures of the fun.

Don't stand on the top step, Sara!


Too many on one side.


How did you put that up there?


Where's my present?


And now for the crowning touch!

Photos by Emily Harper

Investing in Futures

Giving Tree as of Sunday, Nov. 15

Let's fill this tree with leaves by next Sunday!

Giving Tree Needs Leaves

This is what the giving tree looked like as of Tuesday, Nov. 3.


Last Sunday during worship the giving tree was full of leaves--envelopes for each congregational family containing Faith Commitment Cards. After worship, as each took an envelope, the tree was bare, except for two envelopes replaced by those who immediately completed their faith commitment cards.

The stewardship committee has asked that the Faith Commitment cards be filled out, placed back in their envelopes and sealed, and placed back on the giving tree by Sunday, Nov. 22. We will take a picture after worship for the next three Sundays and place it on the website so all can see the giving tree as it is filled with leaves.

Death Notice

We regret to report the death on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Wilmington of Dewey Ensley, who at one time attended Bethany. We extend our sympathy and prayers to his family.

Visitation will be today at 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Wilmington.

Death Notice

We are sad to report the death of Elbert Vendrick, one of Bethany's longtime members, and we offer our condolences and prayers to the family. Floyd Hardison provided us with this obituary, followed by a remembrance:

ORIENTAL - Jason Elbert Vendrick, 81, of Lovick Lee Road, died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at home.

He is survived by his wife, Rachel Vendrick; one son, George Vendrick of Oriental; one daughter, Rosie Ward of Oriental; one sister, Rebecca Cahoon of Arapahoe; three grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at Bethany Christian Church with the Rev. Merritt Watson officiating.

The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial contributions be made to Bethany Christian Church, P.O. Box 156, Arapahoe, NC 28510.


Elbert Vendrick returned to Arapahoe a number of years ago along with his wife Rachel, son George and daughter Rosie.

Elbert bought a piece of land that had a nice ridge but for the most part was an island. Elbert built his own bridge. Elbert later had a fishing boat run aground. When he was told to salvage what he could off the boat, Elbert found a way to salvage his entire boat. Elbert loved to attend his brother Johnie's Sunday School class at Bethany. After Johnie died Elbert's body wandered from the church but his heart stayed.

More Good News

John Beeman, Sr. returned home from the hospital today, and the pathology report is negative. We rejoice with him and his family, and thank God for his blessings!

Software Gremlins Shooed Away

A software problem that prevented the posting of the Oct. 25 church bulletin has been resolved. You may view the church bulletin by clicking Order of Worship in the menu at right, then clicking the link Click here for the updated church bulletin 10/25/09.
--Editor

Pictures from a Wonderful Homecoming

Homecoming Oct. 18 was a fun, filling (both physically and spiritually) and rewarding experience. Start planning now to be with us next year.

Although it was good that everyone had a good time and a good meal…





it was great to see all the young people enjoying themselves.







Photos by Emily Harper