News from the Pavilion

Happy Easter! It feels so strange to be saying it so early, but what amazing meaning the words hold for us as Christians. The next time Easter will be this early will be 2228, and I will be long gone from this world. I hope everyone had a great Lenten season and a wonderful Holy Week. As I have preached to the youth, I hope we do not stop sacrificing for Jesus or remember His sacrifice for the rest of the year.

We opened the month with a trip down to Philips Arena to take in a Thrasher's game. If you haven't had a chance to watch a game live, I highly recommend it and I know the youth would agree. THe game was a nail biter, but the Thrashers pulled off and come from behind win in the shoot out. Everbody had a blast and I went home with a soar throat.

The youth also had a few opportunities to help out the church family as well. We had a work day in which the youth went out to three different homes and took care of everything from picking up leves to cutting dwon a tree. We also took part in the annual Easter Eggstravaganza. The youth always enjoy heading up the games because it gives them a chance to hang out with the children of Bethesda. Plus it boosts their ego because they can actually win against the kids.

We will be ending the month with our annual trip to Camp Glisson for the Spiritual Life Retreat. This year's theme will be Legacy and I am excited about the youth will be taking away this year. I don't know who's more eager, me or the youth, because Camp Glisson is truly God's sanctuary. I can't even begin to count how many lives have been saved on that Holy Ground. I hope you will take the time to ask the youth what they learned from the retreat when they return.

As I always say, the doors of the pavilion are always open! If you know of a youth looking for a family, please tell them to visit us at the bottom of the hill. We are always looking for young adults or adults to help out with retreats or outings too. Thank you for always caring and praying for the youth of Bethesda.

— Ayubu Hashiguchi

---

About Bethesda United Methodist Church

Currently, Bethesda United Methodist Church is undergoing a change. After months of discussion and organization, Bethesda United Methodist Church is undergoing a major website redesign. The redesign will bring a completely redesigned Photo Gallery, updated content, organized sections for Kids, Youth, and Young Adults classes, and improved contact interaction with the Bethesda staff.

Bethesda United Methodist Church is an exciting dynamic church in a fast growing suburban Atlanta area. The United Methodist Church is a very diverse church. Bethesda United Methodist Church believes in the sanctity of marriage and the promises of scripture. The Methodist Christian movement was founded by an 18th century charismatic Anglican Priest by the name of John Wesley. John, his brother Charles and George Whitfield formed the theology of the Methodist movement while students at Oxford University in England. Charles Wesley wrote over 1,000 hymns. Two of his most famous are "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing". Many of his hymns were written to popular beer hall tunes of that era and thus, the common people could relate to them (the first contemporary Christian music).

Bethesda United Methodist Church has a rich heritage and an exciting future. Bethesda was founded 30 years after George Washington was first elected President of the United States. An arbor revival was held in 1820 on the current property and the church was formed. Since that time Bethesda has been a shining light of Christ's love, charity, and salvation in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Bethesda United has a variety of programs for every age group (see our calendar). Bethesda has a vibrant worship in both the 9 o'clock Contemporary and 11 o'clock Traditional services where we praise and glorify the living God.

Don't miss the excitement! Worship at Bethesda United Methodist Church this Sunday. I guarantee you will receive a blessing.