Continued next column

From Todd

I recently visited Jean and Bill Redmond, and I noticed a poem that was hanging on their wall (See page 3 for the poem). The poem is about a miracle that occurred in the Redmond family about 15 years ago. The poem is beautiful, and the story behind it is even better. The following is Jean Redmond’s explanation of this story:

“In December of 2001 our daughter Wendy DeHart got sick and had to have her appendix removed. When they placed her on the operating table, they noticed a small mole behind her ear. The doctor came out and said he was more concerned about the mole than the appendix and asked for permission to remove the mole. The results showed it was stage three melanoma. The doctors painted a very bleak outcome for Wendy. They said they were sure the cancer was in her lymph nodes. She was operated on the next week. We placed Wendy on prayer lists all over Virginia. The day of her surgery, the priest at St. Mary’s Hospital announced over the loud speaker that he was going to pray for everyone going into surgery. Wendy works at Manakin Church and her minister was there with us and we all prayed while we waited. After several hours, the doctor came out with a big smile on his face. He said he could not explain it, but all her lymph nodes were clear and the cancer was contained in that one spot. This was not like me, but I jumped up and said, “I can explain it, God gave us a miracle.” I came home and wrote this poem. We have been truly blessed, as she has not had any trouble with this since her surgery 15 years ago! Our God is an Awesome God.”

Our God is an awesome God indeed. This was truly a “mountain-top experience” for the Redmonds. When these things happen in our lives we certainly celebrate them and are grateful for them, but do we allow them to grow our faith so that when the next obstacle comes along we will trust God even more? Let me explain: I’ve known folks who’ve had similar

The Outreach A People of Hope. A Culture of Grace.

Bethel Baptist Church 1100 Huguenot Springs Road, Midlothian, VA 23113

bbc1817@verizon.net | www.bethelchurchmidlothianva.org

804-794-8590

Vol. 48 No. 1 January 2016

Birthdays

Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

Music Note

Nursery Ministry

Our Miracle Poem

pgs. 1 & 2

pg. 3

pg. 2

pg. 4

pg. 3

Inside

This

Issue

Message from Todd

Mission News

Dram Team

Chick-fil-a Devotional

Men’s Fellowship Lunch

pg. 4

pg. 3

pg. 2

pg. 2

pg. 3

Many Thanks

Care Team

Opportunities for ministry

Worship Schedule

Wed. Night Programs

pg. 4

pg. 2

pg. 3

pg. 3

pg. 4

experiences to the Redmonds, and at the time they receive them, they rightly bask in the glory of God’s grace and return thanks to God. However, the next time a challenge or issue comes their way they say things like, “Will God be there for me this time?” or “ I don’t know if God cares about us anymore.” It’s almost a “What have you done for me lately?” type of faith. Part of our spiritual growth is allowing our “mountain-top experiences” to shape and grow our faith. How do we do that? We remember. The next time you’re going through a tough time and you’re seeking God, try looking backwards and remember all that God has done for you. Joshua did this for Israel. When Israel crossed over into the Promised Land, the Bible says, “Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant had stood.” (Joshua 4:9) Why did he do this? Joshua 4:7 says, “These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua created what author Henry Blackaby calls a “Spiritual Marker.” A Spiritual Marker is a time in your life that you clearly know God was present and at-work in your life. Jean Redmond memorialized one of their family’s spiritual markers by writing a poem. These markers can shape our future faith if we’re intentional and thoughtful. What are the spiritual markers in your life? In what ways has God been clearly present and at work in your life in the past? May I encourage you to write down and record your “mountain-top experiences”? Then the next time you’re wandering through a dark valley, searching for faith and hoping for a miracle, get out your list of Spiritual Markers. Read them, recall them, re-live them and they will be for you, as they were for Israel, “a memorial,” a time to remember that the God who brought you this far will not let you down now. Perhaps after some prayerful reflection you will have the confidence of Paul who once said,

Preschool News

Parrish Nurse

Brotherhood Sunday

A Note from the Library

pg. 4

pg. 4

Last Page

Last Page

Continued next page

2

A Note From Your Music

Director

by Gayle Taylor

Lawrence Tuttiett, English clergyman and hymn writer,

wrote the song, “Father, Let Me Dedicate” in 1864. This

hymn became his most well-known work. It appears in

older hymnals, such as the 1951 edition of the Baptist

Hymnal, but the text still speaks to us today as we begin

a new year. Tuttiett ponders on the theme that whatever

circumstances occur to him during the year, may he

remember to “glorify” the Lord’s name no matter “whate’er

the future brings.”

The New Year brings a sense of excitement as well as

anxiety for many of us. It offers a fresh page to create

much “new-ness” whether it is a new job, a new home,

a new relationship, a new approach to managing and

maintaining health, or a new plan for managing finances.

This new-ness gives us a clean start and it is refreshing,

but it also brings an element of tension: how will every-

thing work out this year?

The good news is that we do not have to figure everything

out. As we begin a fresh start to our lives, may we

remember to commit our cares and concerns to the Lord

and to include Him in our plans and preparations for the

New Year. May our hearts be in tune with the Lord so

that we share Lawrence Tuttiett’s reminder to dedicate “all

this year” to the Lord. Happy New Year!

Source: https://www.blueletterbible.org/hymns/bios/bio_t_u_tuttiett_l.cfm

It’s the beginning of a brand new year and the team is looking forward to doing wonderful work with our Bethel friends in their homes and in their facilities. We were able to deliver the Christmas baskets. Some received Christmas poinsettias to brighten up their rooms. We made sure to have visits that included conversation and we shared with them ongoing events from Bethel. Each person was also given a prayer cross to use as they see fit. Some decided to use them as a bookmark, while others just wanted them nearby to enjoy. There is a real joy in reaching out to our members who are unable to be in our services. They enjoy knowing they are still a part of our Bethel family and that we care about them. There is always room for anyone who would like to join the team. If you are interested in joining us you may call the church office and leave your name and phone number and someone will be in touch with you very soon. Thank you to everyone who included our folks in the Christmas Card Post Office, they were delivered to the enjoyment of all of them. Thank you team members for all your work and support this past year and let’s work together to make 2016 even better.

Shirley Lewis, Team Leader

The following people are scheduled to serve in the nursery for this month. Please remember to arrive no later than 10:20 a.m. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SERVING.

January 3 — Jimmy and Elaine Bradley January 10 — Thom and Brenda Kagels January 17 — Gayle Rogers and Dran Epps January 24 — Robert and Donna Brooks January 31 — Dave and Brenda Jeter

If for some reason you are unable to keep your commitment, please contact Bruce Lewis at (804)794-6585 or Brenda Peck at (804) 897-5768.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6). Lord, we thank you for the times where you have clearly been at work in our past. Please help us to recall those “mountain-top moments,” to remember them as important milestones in our lives and allow those times to create in us a confidence in your sustaining presence when unwelcome times of uncertainty and fear appear at our door. Amen.

Todd

Continued from page 1

In cooperation with the Canadian Broadcasting

Company,

A LIVE Radio Drama…….

“Bob’s New Heart”

Saturday, February 13, 2016

6:30 p.m.

Bethel Baptist Church

Admission: FREE

(A dessert to share at intermission, would be greatly

appreciated)

Curt Nellis: Bethel Drama Team Leader,

curtnellis@comcast.net (804) 439-0428

Bethel Baptist Church

Drama Team

Presents:

3

Missions News by Frances Morris Adults on Mission: Adults on Mission will meet on

Monday, January 4, at 10 a.m. at church.

Children in Action: Will meet on January 31, during the

Sunday School hour.

January Mission Focus: We will be collecting “Camper

Kits” for the 100th anniversary of Camp Alkulana.

Items to include in your kit are:

For more information call Frances Morris at 794-6130.

Our next lunch is set for January 7, at 12 noon.

We will meet at the Italian Delight in South Creek

Shopping Center in Powhatan. Everyone will be

responsible for the cost of their own lunch. Please

call the church office if you plan to attend so we can

make the appropriate number of reservations. All

men are invited.

The next Spirit Night fund raiser will be Wednesday,

January 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. This is perfect for those of you

going to any of the Wednesday night activities. The money

raised will go to help the preschool, so come out and join us

for some good food and great fellowship. You can dine in

or drive thru, but please remember to mention Spirit Night

when you place your order.

Mission/Ministry

Music Ministry/Choir

(See Gayle Taylor)

Adults on Mission

Charlotte’s Pantry and

Backpack Ministry

Sunday Morning

Nursery Ministry (see

page 2 for more info)

Friends of the

Homeless (5th

Mondays at 8:30 a.m.)

AA Meeting every

Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Puppet Team

Library Volunteers

Needed (See Barbara

Bell)

Above Division Jail

Mission (See Michael

Gerace)

Care Team Ministry

(See Shirley Lewis)

Fellowship/Discipleship

Men’s Fellowship Lunch

(1st Thursday of each

month at noon)

Youth Group Meetings

every Wednesday night

at 7 p.m.

Bible/Discipleship Study

Wednesday evenings at

6:30 p.m.

Sunday School Classes

9:30 a.m. each Sunday

Zumba every Thursday

evening at 7 p.m.

Brotherhood Breakfast

(every 5th Sunday)

JIGSAW children’s

ministry, every Sunday

(See Tina McNeel)

Children in Action meet

every 5th Sunday, during

the Sunday School hour.

(See Frances Morris)

January 3 we meet in the Sanctuary

January 10 we meet in the People of Hope Center

January 17 we meet in the People of Hope Center

January 24 we meet in People of Hope Center

January 31 we meet in the Sanctuary

by Jean Redmond

Miracles happen every day, Most we fail to see,

But Jesus still performs them, As He did in Galilee.

A miracle came into our life, Twas through a surgeon’s

hands,

But God was there to guide him, For he was part of God’s

plans.

Doctors don’t always understand the way things happen, or

why,

But we as Christians can simply exclaim...It comes from God

on high.

There is no mystery or strangeness about what happened

that day.

God performed a miracle, That’s all that we can say!

And so we bow in humble prayer, our praise to Him we bring.

A miracle came into our life...It came from Christ our King.

1 roll of duct tape

1 book appropriate for ages

9-14

An encouraging letter for

your camper

A $5.00 donation to help

with tents, sleeping bags

and other camping supplies

Make checks payable to

CBFVA

1 flashlight with D batteries

1 travel size toothpaste

1 toothbrush

1 pack of boys or girls socks

OR 1 pack of boys or girls

underwear (ages 9-14)

1 pack of insect repellent

wipes

1 small bottle of sunscreen

1 poncho

4

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year! Bethel Preschool is now back into the

swing of things and the children are excited about winter

and what it can bring….snow! Inclement weather is

synonymous with January so we ask that everyone

please take care this winter season and stay safe!

Our teachers will be performing student assessments

during the month of January. These assessments help

the teachers to gauge where a child is developmentally

and academically. The teachers use their findings to

tweak the classroom curriculum and to assist the

parents in their practices at home. Our parent/teacher

conferences will be held on Wednesday January 27th.

I would like to say thank you once again to all the church

members and preschool families who came out in

December and supported our Chick-Fil-A night. We did

well, but not as well as November. In order to keep our

spot we must meet the food sales of $300.00! Please

come and join us on Wednesday, January 20th from 5 to

8 p.m. and have dinner with us at the Chick-Fil-A at

Westchester Commons. This is a great way to support

the preschool!

I would also like to remind all that the Preschool will be

closed on Monday January 18th in observance of Martin

Luther King Jr. Day.

Thank you again to all who help support the Preschool

and myself. You are the reason we are the program we

are today!

Join us at Chick-fil-A each Monday

morning at 8 a.m. We will enjoy

breakfast and a morning devotional

together. This is a wonderful time of fellowship. For

more information, please contact Bruce Bartlam at

739-2936.

By Carter Cosgrove

Preschool Director

January 6 — Andy Stanley Study Begins Join us on Wednesday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. as we study Andy Stanley’s book, “Your Move, 4 Questions To Ask When You Don’t Know What to Do.” In this four session video group study, author and Pastor Andy Stanley discusses four questions that will help participants make sound decisions with God’s help. Follow Andy as he teaches how every decision and its outcomes become a permanent part of your story, what to do when you feel the need to pause before taking action, and how to make more of this life by making sound decisions.

January 13 — Andy Stanley Study continues

January 20 — Chick-fil-A – Spirit night – meet and eat together (No Bible Study)

January 27— Andy Stanley Study resumes

February 3— Andy Stanley Study concludes

Cindy Luck, is available on the third

Sunday of each month from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. Feel free

to stop by on January 17,to get your blood pressure

checked or ask Cindy questions. She’ll be glad to help

you in any way she can.

1 Erin Chauncey

2 Ryan McGinnis

4 Leah Ellis

5 Caroline Bransford

5 Doug Wight

6 Jerry Jenkins

7 Leonard Vaughan

8 Tom Melton

10 Jocelyn Vergara

11 Michael Gerace

12 Michaela Goodman

12 Amanda McDade

12 Troy Patteson

14 Justin Whitney

15 Elizabeth Atkinson

15 Cameron Wynne

16 Robbie Cordle Gill

16 John Pulley, Jr.

17 Jake Florence

19 Bob Beasley

20 Ed Powell

20 Karen F. Smith

20 Morgan Pearce

20 Madison Pearce

21 Rachael Bailey

23 Ann Beacham

23 Alan Robert Hardy

24 Becky Turner

27 Mason Watkins

27 Michael Roper

30 Lindsey Brown

Dear Bethel Friends,

I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, visits,

food, phone calls and well wishes during my recent

surgery. I am so thankful to have the support of Pastor

Todd and good Christian friends. I could definitely feel the

prayers and support. Thank you so much.

God Bless, Bob Hansen

5

Bethel Baptist Church 1100 Huguenot Springs Road Midlothian, VA 23113 Change Service Requested

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit 2133

Midlothian, VA 23112

WORSHIP TIMES

9:30 Sunday School | 10:30 Worship

Sunday, January 17, is Brotherhood Sunday. We are looking for men to sing in our Brotherhood choir. Choir practice will be at 10:00 a.m. in the POH Center on the 31, and we will sing during the worship service at 10:30 a.m. If you’d like to sing, in this choir, please join us at 10 a.m.

I am looking out the window to a cold but beautiful winter day. I do not even want to think of January and the thoughts of snow. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to an exciting New Year. Our preschool will be adjusting after the long Christmas break. We in the library are ready for them with our collection of winter books.

I hope you got a chance to see our Christ-mas window display. Cindy Wight did the beautiful cross-stitched background by hand. Thank you Cindy. I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope to see you in the library in 2016. You may be surprised at what we have to offer.

Barbara Bell, Media/Library Director

Our next Brotherhood Breakfast will be January 31, at 8:45 a.m. in the People of Hope Center. Our menu will be “Stancakes,” along with Bruce’s potato sausage casserole, and sausage and eggs. Please join us at 7 a.m. if you would like to help prepare this wonderful meal. If you have any questions please contact Stan Watkins at 804-706-9285.