NICHOLS—BETHEL UNITED METHODIST 1239 MURRAY ROAD

ODENTON, MARYLAND

OFFICE PHONE: 410-674-2272

PASTOR’S MOBILE: 240-818-7761

EMAIL: OFFICE@NICHOLSBETHEL.ORG

PASTOR’S: PASTOR@NICHOLSBETHEL.ORG

WEBSITE: NICHOLSBETHEL.ORG

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NICHOLSBETHEL

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Greetings to You and Glad Tidings to the Family & Friends of

Nichols-Bethel Church!

“Glad Tidings”—a term not often used, but woven in the rich heritage of the Gospel Christmas narratives for it was the angels that brought “glad tidings,” yes, Good News of Great Joy. In an illustration titled “Christ's Birth Was at Per-fect Time” from Preaching Today frames God’s perfect timing for His intentioned “glad tidings” to occur.

“In a debate with the atheist (and now deceased) Christopher Hitchens, William Lane Craig noted how that Christ arrived on earth at the perfect timing. Craig said:

Human beings have existed for thousands of years on this planet before Christ's coming. But what's really crucial here is not the time involved; rather, it's the popula-tion of the world. The Population Reference Bureau estimates that the number of people who have ever lived on this planet is about 105 billion people. Only two percent of them were born prior to the advent of Christ. Erik Kreps of the Survey Research Center of the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research says, "God's timing couldn't have been more perfect. Christ showed up just before the exponential explosion in the world's population." (William Lane Craig, "Does God Exist," Reasonable Faith (4-9-09); source: Erik Kreps quoted in Dinesh D'Souza, What's So Great About Christianity? (Tyndale, 2007), p. 64.)

“The Bible says in the fullness of time God sent forth his Son, and when Christ came, the nation of Israel had been prepared. The Roman peace dominated the Mediterranean world; it was an age of literacy and learning. The stage was set for the advent of God's Son into the world. And I think in God's providential plan for human history, we see the wisdom of God in orchestrating the development of human life and then in bringing Christ into the world in the fullness of time.”

Though Christ’s birth occurred with perfect timing, life for the Jewish people was far from perfect. Though Pax Romano (the “Peace of Rome”) provided stabilization throughout the known world at the time, it also meant tiny nations, such as Judea, experienced the heavy hand of Roman oppression. The Jewish people considered the Romans as ungodly heathen pagans and struggled daily with Roman militaristic oft times ruth-less enforcement and burdensome taxes.

The Jew held tightly to the words of Isaiah (chapter 9) who centuries before prophesied that the time of darkness and despair wouldn’t go on forever, and how a child would be born whose governance as Won-derful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, would rule in fairness and justice for-

“Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever… For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The govern-

ment will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His

government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.

The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen.“ --Isaiah 9:1a, 6-7

If you have anything to add to the next newslet-

ter, for articles or upcoming events, please let

Cathy Smith know, so your items may be includ-

ed. Newletter deadline is the 15th of the month

preceding that edition.

Church office: (410)674-2272

Email: office@nicholsbethel.org

or cmsmith64@verizon.net

Bible Study Tuesday Evenings at 7:30 p.m. Held in the Room 213 in the Welcome Center Led by Rev. Carr

Women on Wednesdays Wednesday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. Held in the Youth Room in the Welcome Center Led by Rev. Carr

Pastor’s Article Part 2

ever. For those of the first century who discovered and followed this Jesus as He shook up the struggling na-tion from countryside to city with His authoritative teaching, His kindness, warmth, healing touch, and com-passion; they knew this Christ was the promised One of God—the One fulfilling the prophecy foretold.

And also for those who today discover and follow Jesus. Yes, they discover that even though they live in this world, they belong to a different Kingdom. A Kingdom where love rules, mercy reigns, and a human incomprehensible peace endures. And when we pray, when we perform acts of mercy, when we worship to-gether and praise our Savior’s name we are able to capture that same promise of Isaiah echoed through the ages of time.

When seeming new threats to our way of life raise their ugly head, we are reminded of a world plagued by evil, destruction, pestilence, suffering and pain. Yet, when we recall the Star of Bethlehem, the angelic appearance to the shepherds, the young Mary and Joseph as they sought a place in Bethlehem to room as they awaited Jesus’ birth; then it seems that the chasm of time evaporates and we are transported by famil-iar carols and symbols of the season to witness the newborn Babe in the manger where He lay. We experi-ence God’s Kingdom even when our own present “kingdoms” appear to be unraveling.

Christmas reminds us of the Bible’s teaching though we may be in the world, we are not of the world. We belong to a Kingdom without the constraints and limitations of a broken, dysfunctional world. And the more we align ourselves to the principles, precepts and practices of Christ’s Kingdom the more we feel like we are home—the place where we’ve always belonged.

As Christ’s Church, we are a microcosm of Christ’s Kingdom in this world. The ministries, missions and programs accomplished at Nichols-Bethel strive to invite both the worshipping community of faith, as well as, those estranged from God, to experience the joy, and yes, the glad tidings, of what it is to belong to the reign of Christ in His Kingdom.

So, when we gather for the Church’s Christmas Party, sing carols with the youth, listen to the Christ-mas Cantata and hear the Hand Bells ring and Choristers sign, and then light our candles singing Silent Night and Joy to the World this Christmas Eve, let this remind us of Whose Kingdom we belong and be encouraged that regardless of the dissonance experienced throughout our world, Jesus reigns through it all—now that’s glad tidings of great joy!

A very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to you from Clark & Kim, our family, and Reilly (the dog, of course).

Nichols-Bethel Joins Amazon Smile Program

Nichols Bethel joins the Amazon Smile Program where Amazon donates .5% of consumer purchases to their

designated charity. Please support our fund raising effort by simply using this link https://smile.amazon.com/

ch/52-1239360 whenever you make a purchase at Amazon and login into Amazon using your Amazon account

(user name and password). The Amazon Smile Program has tens of millions of products on that are eligible for

donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail

pages. Nichols-Bethel will receive a percentage of your Amazon purchases and these donations will be used to

support our fellowship programs. Bookmark this link and use it every time you make an Amazon purchase in

order for Nichols-Bethel to received donations from Amazon. Like the penny’s for the mortgage program, all

donations help us support our outreach programs. Initially, our support will go to the Handbell cabinet project.

December 12th 9:30am-11am

Kids ages 3-12 are welcome to come join us so they can make

their Christmas presents.

Cost $5.00 Adults do not need to stay.

Children’s Choirs - Meet in music room 104 on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. for Grades K – 2nd Grade and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. for Grades 3rd – 6th

Both choirs sing monthly at the 11:00 worship ser-vice, as well as for the Christmas Eve Family Ser-vice, Palm Sunday and Pentecost Sunday

Handbell Choir – learn to ring handbells by be-coming a substitute ringer or ring on a regular basis throughout the church year. Group meets Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. and plays monthly at both 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services. Group travels to assist-ed living facilities at Christmas to present a concert to residents. In addition, the group plays for Thanksgiv-ing Eve service, Holy Thursday service and Easter Sunday.

Rev. Linda

The Christmas Cantata will be held at the 8:00 and 11:00 Worship Services on Sunday, December 13th. We welcome everyone to worship with us as our combined choirs sing praises to the Newborn King!

Backpack Buddies—Food Items List

The following is a list of suggested items for the Backpack Buddies outreach program.

Macaroni & Cheese (boxes) Canned Veggies Canned Soups

Pasta: Spaghetti Ramen Noodles Crackers (saltines) Macaroni Fruit Cups Boxes of Cereal

Spaghetti Sauce Juice Boxes Cookies

Canned Meat: Cheese Crackers Peanut Butter Crackers

Tuna Granola Bars

Chicken

Vienna Sausages

Items are needed weekly as the need is great! Thank you for supporting this mission!

Upcoming Events—Mark your Calendars

Su. Nov 29

8am-12pm 1st Sunday of Advent United Methodist Student Day Offering

Due to Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend, there will be no Youth Meetings this Sunday After-noon

Tu. Dec 1 6:45pm

7:30pm

Rehearsal of 8am Singers

Tuesday Night Bible Study Resumes

We. Dec 2 10:30am Women on Wednesday Bible Study Resumes

Th. Dec 3 6:30pm Hand Bell Outreach to Regency Park

Sa. Dec 5 5-9pm NBUMC Annual Christmas Party Appetizers at 5, Holiday Turkey Meal at 6, and a perfor-

mance by Unsearchable Riches at 7, and Grand Illumination at 8:30. Limit 125 people.

Su. Dec 6 2nd Sunday of Advent

Mo. Dec 7 Hand Bell Fundraiser at Chik fil A, Waugh Chapel

Tu. Dec 8 6:45pm Rehearsal of 8am Singers

Th. Dec 10 6:30pm Hand Bell Outreach to Morning Side

Sa. Dec 12 9:00am Gifts Galore (Children making Craft Gifts for Christmas)

Su. Dec 13

8:00am

11:00am

3rd Sunday of Advent

Choir Cantata

Choir Cantata

Tu. Dec 15 6:45am No Rehearsal of 8am Singers

Su. Dec 20

4:00pm

4-8:00pm

4th Sunday of Advent

Chorister’s Rehearsal

Youth Christmas Caroling and Christmas Party

Tu. Dec 22 6:45am

7:30pm

No Rehearsal of 8am Singers

No Tuesday Night Bible Study

We. Dec 23 10:30am No Women on Wed. Bible Study

Th. Dec 24

5:00pm

6:30pm

7:00pm

8:30 & 11:00pm

A Contemporary Christmas in the Lighthouse

Children’s Chorus Christmas Eve Service in the Sanctuary

No LifeTree Café

Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Services

Tu. Dec 29 6:45am

7:30pm

No Rehearsal of 8am Singers

No Tuesday Night Bible Study

We. Dec 30 10:30am No Women on Wed. Bible Study

Th. Dec 31 7:00pm No LifeTree Café

New Church Directory Preparations

Photography sessions through Lifetouch Photog-raphy are being scheduled for early January for the new Nichols-Bethel Directory.

Each family will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait for participating. Look for details in the bulletin; and call the church office or see Cindy Geskey to schedule your sitting time!

Our thanks to all who participated in any way to make our Ham & Oyster Dinner a success. We had a very good turnout even though it was Halloween.

It was a very busy week with all the prepa-ration. Many hands helped with all the tasks, which was done lovingly.

We received plenty of compliments about the food and desserts, with talk about our guests returning next year.

Special thanks are extended to the Rose family for slicing the hams, which they have done for over 20 years.

Also thanks to Ken Dunshee and Doug Wallace for ordering and picking up our supplies. Thanks to all our chairpersons who did a great job.

There are approximately 24 dozen oysters to sell yet, and approximately (12) ½-dozen packs.

We report a net profit as of 11/4/15 of $8305.89.

Sincerely,

Dolores Bell

3 November 2015

TO: HAM AND OYSTER DINNER DESSERT CREW

I would like to send an enormous ‘THANK

YOU’ to each and everyone who helped in any way to

provide desserts for the many guests at the NBUMC 2015

Annual Ham and Oyster Dinner. Our guests were delighted

with so many choices.

We were truly blessed with all those women and men who

gave of their time, talent, and generosity to telephone doz-

ens and dozens of people asking for desserts; those who set

up the dessert tables; those who served the many pies,

cakes, & other desserts; and for those folks who assisted

with the clean-up chores and packing the leftovers to sell

Sunday morning.

Everyone did a great job and your assistance was really,

really appreciated.

Verna Munn

Stationed Abroad Valerie Hewitt is in the United States Air Force and is stationed at Kadena AFB in Okinawa, an island off the coast of Japan. If you would like to drop her a line (especially Christmas Cards!) her address is as follows: 2nd Lt. Valerie M. Hewitt PSC 80. Box 13928 APO. AP 96367 I know she would appreciate hearing from her church family! -Maria Hewitt-

I would like to thank Barbara Shanks and Mary Ellen Manning for playing for me when I was so sick with pneumonia. Also would like to thank the congregation for all of the prayers. Sincerely, Mary Carol

Health Ministries

Blood Pressure

Screenings

The Health Ministries Team will offer free blood pressure screenings from 9:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m. on the following Sun-days:

Nov 15

MYF News

October was an incredibly busy month with our Youth Ministry. Of course

the amazing Pumpkin Fundraiser to help with our Summer Work Camps, to our

Walk Out of the Darkness for suicide prevention and awareness to Pink Out Sun-

day to the epic Halloween Dance Party. Whew! We appreciate all the love and support through all of it!

Why 2 charity events? Because loving is giving and giving is loving. What better way to show our youth

about love and humanity than doing something for others.

November brought a YAMS outing to lunch and the Peanuts movie. Our young adult ministry is

thriving and we are now planning a YAMS retreat in January! Keep an eye out for future details!

As I write this, we are in the month of November known for taking a moment to be grateful. We will

mentor our youth on this topic and challenge them to bring in macaroni bowls for the months of December-

January. The food will be given to the Backpack ministry to offset hunger in our local school. We all know

how hungry and how much teenagers can eat. Now is the time to show them how Blessed they are to have

food. Remember, loving is giving and giving is loving.

December we will be planning our caroling and Christmas Party. Our youth (and adults) enjoy this

immensely!!!! This will be held December 20th 4pm-8pm!!!!

On behalf of our MYF and YAMS, we wish all of you the most Blessed Christmas. We are forever grate-

ful for each and every one of you for your prayers, love and support.

Love and Blessings,

Kim Carr, Grason Wolfe, Nick Reglein and Liz Williams

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NICHOLS-BETHEL UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

P.O. Box 176

Odenton, Maryland 21113

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The Enlightener

November/December 2015