14th Sunday after Pentecost September 14, 2014

770-867-3727

office@bigwhitechurch.com

www.bigwhitechurch.com

Making Disciples of Jesus Christ Bethlehem First

United Methodist Church

709 Christmas Ave.

Bethlehem, GA 30620

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord:

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;*

the third day he rose from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

and sitteth at the right hand of God

the Father Almighty;

from thence he shall come to judge

the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic** church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed

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14th Sunday after Pentecost

Welcome Janice Allen

Prelude Brenda Fleeman

Bringing in the Light Acolytes

Choral Call to Worship Chancel Choir

Let Heavenly Music Fill This Place

Scripture Reading Debbie Huckaby

Isaiah 40:26-31 (pg. 512)

Invocation Debbie Huckaby

*Opening Hymn UMH 61

Come, Thou Almighty King

Welcome Rev. Frank Bernat

Prayer Concerns/Pastoral Prayer Rev. Bernat

*Offertory Hymn UMH 101

From All That Dwells Below the Skies

Offertory Prayer Rev. Bernat

Offertory Anthem Majesty and Glory Chancel Choir

*Doxology UMH 95

Message “God the Father Almighty” Rev. Bernat

Isaiah 40:26-31 (pg. 512)

*Affirmation of Faith UMH 881

*Gloria Patri UMH 70

Sacrament of Holy Communion

We are a church of open communion and everyone is welcome.

When the Pastor invites you forward, please come as you are able,

the ushers will direct you.

If you would like to receive Holy Communion in your pew,

please let one of the ushers know.

Gluten Free elements are available on the altar to the right.

Special Music Mrs. Katie Wilson

*Hymn of Invitation & Dedication UMH 144

This Is My Father’s World

*Benediction Rev. Bernat

*Choral Benediction UMH 672

God Be with You ‘till We Meet Again (vs. 1)

Postlude Mrs. Fleeman

*You are invited to stand as able

11:00 a.m.

September 14, 2014

THE PASTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND

helps provide assistance to our congregation as well as

Barrow County neighbors who ask us for financial

assistance with utility bills, rent or mortgage, medical

needs, fuel or other financial needs. If you would like to

contribute to this ministry, please leave your donation on the

altar during Holy Communion.

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Prelude Susan Wages

Greeting Debbie Huckaby

Invocation Debbie Huckaby

*Hymn UMH 144

This Is My Father’s World

Praise and Thanksgiving Debbie Huckaby

Pastoral Prayer Debbie Huckaby

Offering/Offertory Susan Wages

Morning Message Debbie Huckaby

“God the Father Almighty”

Isaiah 40:26-31 (pg. 512)

Sacrament of Holy Communion UMH 12

Rev. Matt Parker

*Benediction Rev. Parker

* Please stand

Ushers/Greeters

Shirley Alcorn

Ed Novak

Carol Ward

Welcome! At Bethlehem First United Methodist Church, we are a

community of faith where people meet for a life-changing

encounter with God. Our faith community loves to sing to God

and loves to sing about God. As we join together as one body

with one voice, we invite you to open your hearts and minds to

all that God has in store for you.

To learn more about Bethlehem First United Methodist Church

and discover how you can get connected, visit our website at

www.bigwhitechurch.com.

Today’s Message:

“God the Father Almighty” | Isaiah 40:26-31

Matt Parker @mattparker21

Welcome Music 9:30 Band

Teach Your Children

Welcome Wanda Doster

We Pray Rev. Frank Bernat

We Worship 9:30 Band

He Reigns

God of This City

Faith of Our Fathers

The Lord’s Prayer

We Give 9:30 Band

Better Than a Hallelujah

We Hear Rev. Bernat

“God the Father Almighty”

Isaiah 40:26-31

Affirmation of Faith Rev. Bernat

We Receive Sacrament of Holy Communion

(Gluten Free elements are available on the altar)

Just As I Am

We Respond & Go 9:30 Band

My Father’s World

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September 14, 2014

BFUMC Golf Tournament

This fundraising event is

scheduled for Monday,

September 29th, at The

Providence Club in

Monroe, GA. The fee is

$75 per golfer / $300 per foursome.

Registration fees will increase on September

15th - so sign up as soon as possible. We are

looking for individual players, foursomes, and

sponsors.

For more information visit bigwhitechurch.com/

golf, or contact our Associate Pastor, Rev. Matt

Parker, matt.parker@bigwhitechurch.com, 770-

867-3727.

Hand & Foot Card Playing

meets the 2nd and 4th

Sundays at each month.

Join this time of food,

fun and fellowship at

12:30 p.m. in room

128. Need more

information? Contact

John and Shirley Griffing, 678-425-1192.

Come join us today or on Sunday, September

28th.

Ladies Bible Study ~ Our

morning Bible study has resumed

for this season. They are

meeting in the Worship Center

on Tuesdays from 9:15-11:30

a.m., in the Worship Center.

For more information on BFUMC’s Ladies L.I.G.H.T.

Bible Study, please contact Christy Preston, 404-936

-6014, or call the church office, 770-867-3727.

Men’s Retreat ~ Attention Men:

Men, time is running out to

make it to the 2014 UMMen

Igniting Faith Retreat at Rock

Eagle for September 26-28! It

will be a spiritual blessing!!

Contact: Jarratt Pryor, at 912-309-0546,

jarratt@windstream.net.

Food Drive ~ We are still

collecting food for our

Barrow County Food Pantry.

We need you to bring

canned meats, canned

veggies, canned fruits, and

canned kid-friendly foods.

Please place your donations

in the blue barrel in the

Commons Area.

Come Alive Ministries is our local non-profit

Pregnancy Care Center creating “Options for Life”

to women facing an unplanned pregnancy. They

endeavor to meet the physical, emotional, and

spiritual needs of each person they serve. Our

United Methodist Women are coordinating the

donation of items for New Mom Basket Ministry.

You can place your items in the bassinet in the

Narthex or the cradle in the Stars Café.

Baby Items: shampoo, wipes, diapers, soap,

lotion, oil, diaper ointment, receiving blankets,

brush and comb sets, pacifiers, bottles, neutral

colored sleepers, washcloths, etc.

Mom Items: health & beauty aids, gift items

(stationery, pens, candles, picture frames, etc.)

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The United Methodist Children’s Home has been

serving children and families in crisis since 1871.

Originally founded as an orphanage after the Civil

War, their services have evolved over the years to

meet the ever-changing needs of children and

families in North Georgia.

As one of the top-rated organizations in Georgia,

they employ best practices, but their approach is

also distinctly Christian: they rely on the love of

Christ—God’s Amazing Grace—to transform lives.

Their goal is simply to help children and families

find a place they can call “home.” This typically

comes through reunification, adoption, or

developing the life skills required to stand on their

own.

This past year they served over 1,000 children and

families, but on any given day they turn away as

many as 30 children. They need our help!

The United Methodist Children’s Home serves

children, youth, and families through a network of

programs designed to provide a foundation for long

-term independence and success.

Foster Care and Adoption ~ Foster families serving

ages 18 and under, including sibling groups,

medically fragile children,

and teens, receive extensive

training and support.

Adoption ~ Facilitate the

adoption process if a child

under their Foster Care

program becomes eligible

for adoption. Some children in this situation are

adopted by their foster families.

Residential Programs for Youth ~ Youth ages 17-21

live on or off campus while receiving educational,

job, and life-skills training and supervision.

Family Housing ~ Provides a safe place to stay,

while families with at least one child under the age

of 17 learn life and parenting skills, receive

vocational education and support, and are given

financial counseling.

Community-Based Family Preservation Services

Include:

Emergency Financial Aid ~ Funds are available to

help families with rent, utilities, medical bills, or

other financial needs that impact the quality of life

for their children.

Counseling ~ Individual and/or group sessions are

available to address communication issues, anger

management, blended families, marital problems,

and other life challenges.

Parenting Skills Classes ~ Parents and other

caregivers find help for navigating difficult stages of

child rearing or as they work to regain custody of

their children.

Our funding comes in a variety of ways—from our

faith community across the North Georgia

Conference, which takes a special “Amazing Grace”

offering each fall, to our Children’s Home Auxiliary

that organizes their Flea Marker sales. They also

receive support from individuals as well as

corporate organizations.

Bethlehem First United

Methodist will offer you

the opportunity to make a

donation to the Amazing

Grace United Methodist

Children’s Home on

Sunday, September 21st.

Do all the good you can.

By all the means you can.

In all the ways you can.

In all the places you can.

At all times you can.

To all the people you can.

As long as ever you can.

—John Wesley

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Ministry Assistants

Greeters

8:30 Shirley Alcorn, Ed Novak, Carol Ward

9:30 Becky Adcock, Lamar & Sherry Mask

Leon Laske, Sally Anne Short, Shane Short

11:00 Lenell Carr, Gwen Foernsler, Larry Laske, Malcolm

Mercer, Susan Mercer, Michele Powell, Pam Shaw,

Terry Shaw, David Sorrells

Acolytes

Today not available at printing

Sept. 14 not available at printing

Ushers

8:30 Shirley Alcorn, Ed Novak, Carol Ward

9:30 Sherry Mask

11:00 Dwight Austin, Charles Autry, Allen Bower, John

Fleeman, Lamar Pugh, Don Wages

Sept. 21 Clara Allen, Lynne Bell, Fran Bower, Patsy Cullifer,

Wanda Doster, Brenda Partee, Sandi Roberson,

Lynn Smith, Susan Wages

Stephen Ministry

"PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER!"

You've heard it a million

times. Others may have said it to

you, or you may have said it to

yourself. But things just aren't

coming together. You're still

hurting. You still feel like it's all falling

apart. Our Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers

who will walk with you, listen to you, and provide

confidential one-to-one care, as you search through the

pieces and find what is truly in your heart. To learn

more about what Stephen Ministry can do for you, talk

to one of our Stephen Leaders: Jenny Smith, 770-826-

0266 or Kathy Brown, 770-601-7047. Our Stephen

Ministers are ready to care for you!

Prayer Concerns

Did you know that you can support the ministries and missions

of Bethlehem First UMC through online giving?

www.bigwhitechurch.com/giving

Online giving of your tithe and offering is one of

the easiest and best ways to insure that you

fully honor God through your giving.

Members

Aug. 31 ~ Ann Shannon, Chris Shannon

Sept. 7 ~ Fran Bower, Rich Boyd, Nancye Laske, Rich Tuttle

Sept. 14 ~ Arly Burkman, Rachel Howard, Bona Sengbe

On-Going ~ Elizabeth Barber, Dianne Beaird, Phil Elam, Harriet

Harris, Carolyn & Charles Harrison, Heather Lee, Mary Nell

Partee, Frances & Leeon Pruett, Hazel Smith, Judy Swanner,

Julia Ridgeway, Rachel Thompson

Non- Members

Aug. 31 ~ Misty Price

Sept. 7 ~ Mary Ann Hogg

Sept. 14~ Landon Garner, Betty Griffith, Nell Smith, Kalina

VanGalen

On-Going ~ Katie Adams, Megan Godina, Louise Pitts, David

Powell, Mary Willie Thompson

Note: To add or remove names, please contact Rev. Debbie

Huckaby, debbie.huckaby@bigwhitechurch.com, 706-296-0665.

Thank you.

September 7, 2014 Attendance

Sunday School ................................................ 122

Nursery ............................................................. 42

8:30 Service ...................................................... 24

9:30 Orange ...................................................... 71

9:30 Service .................................................... 113

11:00 Orange .................................................... 74

11:00 Contemporary Service ............................ 87

11:00 Traditional Service ................................ 177

Total Sunday Worship ................................. 588

Revenue Year-to-Date ...................... $741,005.47

Expenses Year-to-Date ..................... $761,478.18

Our Faithfulness BFUMC Family,

Thank you so much for the messages, calls, cards

and prayers during my illness. Your love and

support is appreciated.

Love,

Robin Scarborough

7

Week At A Glance C Chapel FH Fellowship Hall G Gym S Sanctuary SC Stars Café UG Upper Gym WC Worship Center

SATURDAY~ September 20

8:00 a.m. Fitness Center (6pm)

9:00 a.m. Surprise Fitness (G)

9:30 a.m. Yoga (WC)

SUNDAY~ September 21

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion Service (C)

9:00 a.m. Pray for Our Pastors (120H)

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

9:30 a.m. PreK-K DiscoveryLand (111)

9:30 a.m. 1st-4th AdventureLand (FH)

9:30 a.m. 9:30 Worship Service (WC)

11:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School (127)

11:00 a.m. PreK-K DiscoveryLand (111)

11:00 a.m. 1st-4th AdventureLand (FH)

11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Svc (WC)

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Svc. (S)

12:30 p.m. Family Ministries (129)

4:00 p.m. 5th-12th Grade Handbells (S)

4:45 p.m. 5th-12th Grade Choir (119)

5:00 p.m. 2nd-4th Grade Handbells (S)

5:00 p.m. Disciple 1 (127)

5:00 p.m. Disciple IV (124)

5:00 p.m. 7th-12th Grade Youth (130)

7:00 p.m. Change the World

Youth Musical (WC)

WNL Fellowship Meal reservations due by Tuesday noon. 770-867-3727, office@bigwhitechurch.com.

6:30 p.m. Youth Group

Small Group Bible Study (130)

6:50 p.m. PreK-4th Grade

Mission Focus (111)

7:00 p.m. Church 101 (125)

7:00 p.m. Serving From the Heart (124)

7:00 p.m. Women’s Bible Study

GRITS (101)

7:00 p.m. Adult Choir (119)

7:30 p.m. Hispanic Bible Study (123)

THURSDAY~ Septemer 18

6:00 a.m. Fitness Center (9pm)

10:00 a.m. Senior Fitness (G)

12:00 p.m. STARS Luncheon & Mtg. (FH)

6:15 p.m. Power Sculpting (G)

7:00 p.m. Zumba (G)

7:00 p.m. 9:30 Band Practice (WC)

FRIDAY~ September 19

6:00 a.m. Fitness Center (6pm)

9:00 a.m. Insane Strength (G)

9:30 a.m. Yoga (WC)

A Called Church Conference has been scheduled

for Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 6 PM for

the single purpose of entertaining a

recommendation from the BFUMC trustees/board

of directors that they be empowered to sell the

church facility located on the corner of Bethlehem

Church Road and Manning Gin Road.

SUNDAY~ September 14 ~ Holy Communion

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion Service (C)

9:00 a.m. Pray for Our Pastors (120H)

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

9:30 a.m. PreK-K DiscoveryLand (111)

9:30 a.m. 1st-4th AdventureLand (FH)

9:30 a.m. 9:30 Worship Service (WC)

11:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School (127)

11:00 a.m. PreK-K DiscoveryLand (111)

11:00 a.m. 1st-4th AdventureLand (FH)

11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Svc (WC)

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Svc. (S)

12:30 p.m. Hand & Foot Card Playing (128)

4:00 p.m. 5th-12th Grade Handbells (S)

4:45 p.m. 5th—12th Grade Choir (119)

5:00 p.m. 2nd-4th Grade Handbells (S)

5:00 p.m. Disciple 1 (127)

5:00 p.m. Disciple IV (124)

5:00 p.m. 7th-12th Grade Youth (130)

5:00 p.m. 5th/6th Grade Bridge (129)

MONDAY~ September 15

6:00 a.m. Fitness Center (9pm)

9:00 a.m. Zumba (G)

10:00 a.m. Spin (UG)

10:00 a.m. Stretch It Out (124)

6:00 p.m. Circuit Mania (UG)

6:30 p.m. Covenant Bible Study (127)

7:00 p.m. Pickleball (G)

7:00 p.m. College/Career Class (126)

7:00 p.m. United Methodist Women (128)

TUESDAY~ September 16

6:00 a.m. Fitness Center (9pm)

9:00 a.m. Insane Surprise Class (G)

9:15 a.m. Ladies Bible Study (123)

10:00 a.m. Senior Fitness (G)

6:00 p.m. Insane Strength (119)

6:30 p.m. Adult Handbells (S)

7:00 p.m. Contemporary Band Pr. (WC)

7:00 p.m. Trustees Mtg. (114)

7:00 p.m. Zumba (119)

WEDNESDAY~ September 17

6:00 a.m. Fitness Center (9pm)

9:00 a.m. Fun with Crocheting (128)

2:00 p.m. Pickleball (G)

5:30 p.m. WNL Fellowship Meal (FH)

6:10 p.m. PreK-1st Grade Choir (108)

6:10 p.m. 2nd-4th Grade Choir (C)

6:15 p.m. Soul Spin Mix (UG)

6:30 p.m. 5th/6th Grade Bridge (129)

6:30 p.m. Men’s Bible Study (128)

6:30 p.m. Yoga (WC)

WNL Fellowship Meal for Sept. 17

Ham │Mashed Potatoes

Vegetable│ Dessert

Salad Bar

BFUMC Consignment Sale

Friday, Oct. 17 │8 AM ~ 4 PM

Saturday Oct. 17 │8 AM ~ 2 PM

1/2 Price Sale on Saturday

Drop-off: Thursday, Oct. 16│2 ~ -8 PM

in the Fellowship Hall

Accepting fall and winter clothing (kids & junior

sizes, boys and girls), shoes, toys, books, games,

DVDs, bicycles, kid’s furniture, baby beds, baby

bedding, etc. Newborn clothes sizes up to juniors

size 18.

For more information on the sale or to become a

consignor, please contact Alana Sparks,

bfumcconsignmentsale@gmail.com, 770-868-6157.

FALL

CONSIGNMENT SALE

October 17-18, 2014

(Benefits BFUMC Children’s Ministry)

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WELCOME, VISITORS AND GUESTS!

We are delighted you have chosen to worship with us today. Please

fill out the black attendance register at the end of the pew or as it is

passed.

ABOUT US:

At Bethlehem First UMC, we have a common mission: To make

disciples of Jesus Christ. We offer a loving, nurturing environment in

which to serve and worship Christ, and to grow spiritually. We would

love to have you join us each Sunday.

LEARN MORE:

If you would like to learn more about Bethlehem First UMC,

please visit us on the web at www.bigwhitechurch.com, speak

with a pastor following the service, call the church office at

770-867-3727, or email us at office@bigwhitechurch.com.

WELCOME, CHILDREN

Childcare is available for newborns through age 4 during Sunday

school and all Sunday morning worship services. Your child

graduates to DiscoveryLand (PreK/K), Room 111, if they are 4, on or

before December 31st. Please use our electronic check-in system

before bringing your child to their age appropriate room.

Newborn to Walking Room 121

Walking to Age 3 Room 110

Age 3 & 4 Room 109

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE:

Hearing assistance is available for the 11:00 o’clock service in the

sanctuary. Please ask one of the greeters or ushers for a receiver

and they will be happy to assist you.

Restrooms are located in the narthex (front lobby), the Commons

Area, near Room #114, and next to the Stars Cafe.

Our Staff

Rev. Frank Bernat Senior Pastor 770-362-7998 cell frank.bernat@bigwhitechurch.com

9:30 Worship Service This lite-contemporary service is a good way to begin your Sunday morning! Our Praise Band plays a variety of good music including folk, country, rock, and gospel. Our service is spirit-filled and energetic, yet relaxed and welcoming. Dress is casual and the STARS Café is open before and after. Make yourself at home.

11:00 Traditional Worship Service Come and experience the time-honored traditions and practices of historical Christianity in one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in North Georgia. Our sanctuary exudes holiness and the Holy Spirit can be felt as one enters the room. Please enter in reverence but worship with all your heart as we enjoy the great hymns, creeds, and traditions of our Christian faith.

Rev. Matt Parker, Associate Pastor 404-538-2567 cell matt.parker@bigwhitechurch.com

11:00 Contemporary Worship Service The 11:00 Contemporary Worship Service helps people connect with God and celebrate all that God has done in our lives. The prayer for this worship experience is that those who worship with us may join together in one voice and one prayer as we praise God. Our time of worship includes singing contemporary music and listening to a scripturally based message.

Rev. Michele May Pastor of Discipleship & Families 706-201-5063 cell michele.may@bigwhitechurch.com

11:00 Children’s Church GROW But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18 Through our GROW ministries, persons have opportunities to deepen and grow in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Through Bible study, prayer, worship, and small group fellowship, persons are able to understand more fully what it means to love God and love our neighbors. Individuals are able to discover how God has uniquely gifted them to serve, both within and outside the church.

Debbie Huckaby Pastor of Congregational Care 706-296-0665 cell debbie.huckaby@bigwhitechurch.com

8:30 Holy Communion Service A 30-45 minute worship service meets every Sunday

morning in the Chapel. This intimate service offers

hymns, prayer, message, and Holy Communion. Come

and worship in the Chapel at Bethlehem.

Would you like to join Bethlehem First UMC?

If you have been visiting we hope you will consider joining Bethlehem First United Methodist

Church. You may join by:

1. Transferring your membership from another United Methodist Church

2. Transferring your membership from another denomination

3. Confession of Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

To learn more about church membership please contact one of our pastors listed above and

say “I want to join the church.”

Our Clergy

Email Addresses: first name. last name@bigwhitechurch.com

unless otherwise notated

Audio/Video, Mark Nichols

404-606-7671

Custodian, Jack Chilcote

770.712.7336

office@bigwhitechurch.com

Executive Assistant, Karen Whitehead

Music Minister, Karen Smith

Nursery Supervisor, Jennie Etheredge

Office Assistants, Gretchen Hill,

Jennifer Pohl

Organist, Brenda Fleeman

Pianist, Katrina Wilson

Preschool Director

Lizzy Sheffield, 770.867.3724

Security, J.P. Boyd

770.867.9551, papaande@gmail.com

Youth Ministry

H.S. ~ Dawn Bradberry, 678-227-1970

dawnleigh21@yahoo.com

M.S. ~ Amy Watts, 404-213-7856

amywilmothwatts@yahoo.com