Welcome

What a Wonderful Day!!

The word “THANKS” just doesn’t seem to be enough to convey our deep appreciation for everything that was done to make our retirement Sunday so wonderful.  The worship service was just so meaningful, from the opening call to worship to the beautiful benediction and blessing. The sanctuary was extra-beautiful with its recent “face-lift” and the gorgeous flower arrangements.  Special thanks to Brock who came to serve on his wedding day!  And the choir, as always, made the worship joyful with all the variety of anthems, while Kayse and Cleff played for us so beautifully.  We are also grateful to Madison and Neal who offered their amazing voices to sing for our last morning worship with Bethesda.

 And then there was…….THE PARTY!!   The many days of planning and preparation and hard work that went into this day are so appreciated.  As we walked into the fellowship hall (which always looks beautiful), we were amazed by the transformation into a lovely reception hall.  There was so much food, so delicious, and so beautifully arranged.  Wow!  We are grateful to Nell Morris who traveled with her husband, Allen, all the way from Augusta to play her harp throughout the afternoon for our enjoyment.  The special words from our leadership will be remembered with love.  The slide presentation, put together by Kevin and Jill Murphy; and all the pictures added to the fun with happy memories.  With Andy Brooks videoing the entire afternoon, we will be able to enjoy it over and over again. 

 Having our family members here with us made the day even better than we thought it could be.    And we are always overwhelmed by the generosity of this congregation!  The monetary gift and other expressions of love will be remembered always.  Perhaps the most precious memories of this great day will be all the PEOPLE who came…..people who took the time to spend the afternoon celebrating with us as we enter a new phase of life.  Thanks to each one of you!  What a wonderful day!

 Love,  John and Mary Elizabeth

 

Latest News

Celebration of Life Service for Marisa Haag

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Marisa Haag on Wednesday, June 19th at 4:00pm at the church.  In lieu of flowers Brian has requested that donations be made to an educational fund set up for Connor.  This can be done at any Bank of America using the following information:     Routing #: 061000052     Account #: 334034007450

Thank you for your continued prayers for the family.

Church Wide Picnic – June 23 – Immediately following the worship service!

 

Sunday is Casual Day since the Church wide Picnic  will be immediately following the morning worship service.  It will be down at our pavilion.  There will be a big softball game (all ages), horseshoe pit, volleyball court, nature trail, and to top it off – inflatable waterslide for the kids.  Bring lawn chairs, swimsuits for the kids (or clothes that can get wet), and plenty picnic type foods.  Paper goods will be provided.  This is a great day to invite your friends and family to church and picnic.  We are asking everyone to park in the church parking lot.  We will have a transport vehicle available for those who are unable to walk to the pavilion.

Garage Sale

The ladies will be having another garage sale on July 19 and 20.  If you have any items to donate, please wait and bring them in after July 12 and put them in the fellowship hall.

This Week at Bethesda

Carolyn Beaty will have partial knee replacement on Thursday at Gwinnett Medical in Duluth.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Vacation Bible School – Monday – Friday – 6:00 – 8:30pm

Wednesday – 4:00pm – Memorial Service for Marissa Haag

Sunday – 9:45am – Sunday School
11:00am – Morning Worship – Reverend Jessica Terrell, New Pastor will be preaching
12:00pm – Immediately following morning worship EVERYONE is invited to the picnic at the pavilion
We will have a big softball game (all ages), horseshoe pit, volleyball court, nature trail, and to top it off – inflatable waterslide for the kids.  Bring lawn chairs, swimsuits for the kids (or clothes that can get wet), and plenty picnic type foods.  Paper goods will be provided.  This is a great day to invite your friends and family to church and picnic.  We are asking everyone to park in the church parking lot.  We will have a transport vehicle available for those who are unable to walk to the pavilion

Get ready for Kingdom Rock!

Here’s a sneak preview of the castle at Kingdom Rock. I hope you are as excited about VBS as we are!

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The chapel has become the castle

Atlanta-Emory District Superintendent, The Reverend Dana Everhart – June 16

 

We are honored to have The Reverend Dana Everhart preaching this Sunday, June 16th here at Bethesda.  He is a dynamic speaker and you will want to make sure you are here.  Our many thanks to Reverend Everhart, the Cabinet and the Bishop for sending The Reverend Jessica Terrell to us as our new Pastor.

June 23rd – Two Exciting Events

The Reverend Jessica Terrell, our new pastor, will be preaching at the morning worship service (one service – 11:00am).  We hope that everyone will there to welcome her as she begins the journey with us as our pastor, spiritual leader, friend, confidant, and advisor.   We have all heard Pastor John speak so highly of Pastor Jessica, and for those of us who have met her agree that she is everything that he said she was and probably more.  So don’t miss her first Sunday. 

THEN STICK AROUND FOR THE FUN

There will be a church wide picnic at our pavilion.  We will have a big softball game (all ages), horseshoe pit, volleyball court, nature trail, and to top it off – inflatable waterslide for the kids.  Bring lawn chairs, swimsuits for the kids (or clothes that can get wet), and plenty picnic type foods.  Paper goods will be provided.  This is a great day to invite your friends and family to church and to the picnic.  We are asking everyone to park in the church parking lot.  We will have a transport vehicle available for those who are unable to walk to the pavilion. There is something for all ages, so do not miss this!

 

Pictures from John’s Retirement Reception

Here are some pictures from John’s retirement reception.  There may be more than appear on this post, so you can check out the rest on our picture page.  Goodbye, and good luck, John!  It’s been wonderful to have you with us these past four years.  We will miss you!

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This Week at Bethesda

Monday – 6:30pm – Ladies Prayer

Wednesday – 5:45am – Prayer Group

5:30pm – Youth – VBS Training

6:00pm – Chancel Choir

Sunday 9:45am – Sunday School

11:00am – Worship – The Reverend Dana Everhart, our District Superintendent will be preaching

12:00pm – Called Charge Conference (for the purpose of approving Jessica’s salary)

VBS Volunteers Needed!

Hi Church Family!

We are in need of some VBS Volunteers in a few key places. Please email Marshall ASAP if you can help in any of these ways:

1) CREW LEADERS – We are in need of 3 more crew leaders. Crew Leaders lead a small group of kids (no more than 10 ) around to each of the stations. You get to know the kids and help them understand the message of the week!

2) NURSERY ASSISTANTS – We are in need of some additional nursery volunteers. The nursery is open each night from 5:30 to 9pm so that volunteers with children 2 and under can have childcare for their kids. If you would be able to help even 1 or 2 nights, that would help!

3) CLEAN UP CREW – We are in need of some folks who can step in on Friday night at 8pm (Starting in the Fellowship Hall) to help us take down decorations.  If you can come up this night, it would be a HUGE help and relief to those who’ve been working at VBS all week.

ALSO – If you have not turned in your t-shirt order, please let me know by THIS Thursday, June 6.

Thanks to all those who have made financial and supply donations so far!!

Marshall

 

Youth and Youth Families – Gwinnett Braves Game – Friday, June 7

We are going out to watch the Gwinnett Braves vs. Rochester this Friday, June 7.  Please RSVP on the BYG Facebook page if you are planning on attending.  We can get a group rate out on the lawn if we have at least 20 people, but we will need to order our tickets by Thursday. You can also RSVP to us Wednesday night at youth.  Bring your families along with you!

We will be meeting at the church on Friday at 5:45 pm to leave for the game.

Bring money for snacks.  This is going to be a great night for BYG!!

This Week at Bethesda

This Week

Monday –  6:30pm – Ladies Prayer Group

Tuesday – 4:30pm  – Ladies Bible Study

Wednesday 5:45am Prayer Group

5:30pm – Westward Ho Wednesday Night Supper This will be Pastor John and Mary Elizabeth’s last Wednesday night supper with us, so please make reservations and come spend some informal fellowship time with them and enjoy the festivities of “Westward Ho” If you do not have standing reservations, simply call the church office today to sign up.

Wednesday Night Menu: Foods representing:  California, New Mexico, Idaho, Nevada, Washington

Waldorf Salad, Beef Brisket, Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Potato Salad, English Peas, Roasted Turkey, Gravy, Carrots, Oven Roasted Squash, Ranchero Chicken Casserole, Chips/Salsa, Mexican cornbread, California Kitchen Pizza, California Cobb Salad, Marie Callendars’ Pies: Coconut, Banana Cream, Razzelberry, Key Lime, Peanut Butter Pies, Carolyn’s Pound Cake, Peggy’s Apple Cake, Bobbie’s Coconut Cake

6:30pm – Chancel Choir

8:00pm – Praise Band Practice

 

Responding to the Oklahoma Diaster

OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS) —“I know you are seeing and hearing news reports about the devastation and want to assist. … Do not self-deploy. Best practices in times of crises call for a collaborative response, so people who can help are directed to where that help and those skills are most needed and will be most effective,” wrote the Rev. Richard Norman, disaster response coordinator for the Oklahoma Conference.
The Oklahoma Confernce Disaster Response Team sent this email outlining how best to help.
How to Give Donations may be made through your local church by putting a check in the offering plate made out to the church with a note for ”2013 May Tornado Relief” on the memo line. Donations may be made directly to the Conference Treasurer’s Office by mail to To give to: Conference Treasurer’s Office PO Box 102417 Atlanta, GA 30368-2417 Note Fund number #4085 for May 2013 Tornado Relief
How to Help (UMNS) — As communities in Oklahhoma, Texas and other U.S. states reel from the devastation of tornadoes, remember that The United Methodist Church has a system in place for responding. Here are a few of the places to check for information and find out how you can be part of United Methodist relief efforts: United Methodist News Service Facebook page United Methodist Committee on Relief North Georgia Conference Facebook Page North Georgia Conference News Page at ngumc.org

VBS Donations SIGNED UP FOR!

A BIG THANK YOU to all those who have signed up for bringing VBS Donations. At this point, I have everything covered. If you would like to make a monetary donation, you can place it in the offering plate with “Children’s Ministry – VBS” in the memo line. You can also come out to our CAR WASH on Saturday, June 1 from 9am to 12pm. Spread the word!

 

Marshall

Congratulations to our Graduates

Congratulations to our graduates:

Jeswin Abraham – Berkmar High School

Mason Howington – Western Illinois University

Angela Marsland Higgins – Kennesaw State University

Also to Amber Marie Venters – Charleston College, BA (Granddaughter of Carl and Susan Audria)

Pentecost Pictures

Once again, we were blessed with a wonderful Pentecost service thanks to Pastor John.  The skies were a bit cloudy, but that didn’t stop us from releasing our spirits up to God.  Here are a few pictures of the event.

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This Week at Bethesda

Monday –  6:30pm – Ladies Prayer Group

Tuesday – 4:30  – Ladies Bible Study

Wednesday – 2:30pm – Red Cross Blood Drive

5:45am Prayer Group

6:30pm – Chancel Choir, Youth

8:00pm – Praise Band Practice

 

Please mark your calendar – June 16th, our District Superintendent, The Reverend Dana Everhart will be preaching.  We have one service at 11:00am.  Immediately following the service there will be a called Charge  Conference for the specific purpose of approving the salary for our new minister, the Reverend Jessica Terrell.  This will be a very brief, but very important meeting and all administrative council members are asked to attend.

Pictures from Bethesda’s Best “Thanks for the Memories”

Here’s just a few pictures from Bethesda’s Best last week honoring Pastor John and Mary Elizabeth.

          

Dear Friends, We had such a good time with you all on Thursday!  The great food, the laughter, the fun memories…all were blessings to us.  Thank you also for the basked filled with mementos of the good times we have shared together-and for the Cracker Barrel gift card.  You all are the best – “Bethesda’s Best”  Love John and Mary Elizabeth

Gastons Baptized

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Jalen, Serena and Seth Gaston

Jalen, Serena and Seth Gaston were baptized at the 11:00 service on May 12.  Please welcome them into the family of Christ.

Special Bethesda’s Best Luncheon – Thursday

 

Come take a stroll with us down memory lane of the last four years with Pastor John and Mary Elizabeth this Thursday, May 16th at 12:00Noon in the fellowship hall.  This is a covered dish lunch so bring lots of food for everyone to enjoy.  We want this to be something Pastor John and Mary Elizabeth will always remember, so come help us honor them.

 

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