new bethel church · 09/04/2010 · “jesus christ superstar” bus trip: we’ll see “jesus...

New Bethel Church April 2012

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Please send all May 2012 newsletter info to Sara Walter ([email protected]). Thanks!

New Bethel Church April 2012 Newsletter

Pastor’s Ponderings: YOU'LL FIND JESUS THERE Easter is all about the empty tomb. Jesus, dead on Friday, was hastily and incompletely, buried in a borrowed tomb before sundown, the beginning of the Sabbath. On Sunday morning, when the Sabbath was over, the burial of Jesus was to be completed. So they went to the tomb to finish the job. But Jesus wasn't there! But where was he? People speculated that the body was stolen by the disciples. People wondered if maybe he hadn't died at all and revived. Or maybe, just maybe, he was risen from the dead. Alleluia! Or maybe the following is the answer. "Tomorrow morning I'll open up your heart" the surgeon said to the 8 year-old-boy. "You'll find Jesus there," the boy said. The surgeon continued, "I'll open your heart and check the damage." "You'll find Jesus there," the boy said. "When I see the damage, I will suture you back up and then think about the next step," said the surgeon. Continued on page 2…

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Upcoming Dates April 1 – Harvest Fest meeting after Sunday School April 2– Joint Board Meeting April 5 – Maundy Thursday, Sedar Meal 7:30PM April 6 – Good Friday Worship, 12:00PM April 8 – Easter Sunday,

Sunrise Service 7:00AM Continental Breakfast 8:00AM Easter Worship 9:00AM Easter Egg Hunt (Toddler-Grade 6) 10:00AM

April 11– Women of New Bethel, 7:00PM April 14 – ULTRAS Car Wash April 15 -- Youth Sunday—skit: “Lost in Grace” April 15—ULTRAS Car Wash April 16-- Church Board Meeting, 7:00PM April 17– Committee Night, 7:00PM April 18– Bible Study/Discussion, 7:00PM April 27-29 – Confirmation Class camping trip May 12 – Garden Sale, 9:00AM to 12:30PM June 23– “Jesus Christ Superstar” Trip to NYC July 22-26 – Crosswalk Retreat in Wildwood

mailto:[email protected]


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Pastor’s Ponderings, Ctd.: "You will find Jesus in my heart because my Sunday school teacher told me so. She said it says so in the Bible. Besides that, our Sunday school songs say He lives there," said the boy. The surgery took place the next day. After the surgery the surgeon began to make notes of what he found. In his mind there was no hope and no cure. The little boy would die within a matter of months. The thought began to get to the doctor and all of a sudden the doctor shouted to God, "Why did you do this to the boy? Why can't he live a normal life?" God spoke to the surgeon's heart and said, "The boy is a part of my flock and will always be a part of my flock. When he is with me there will be no more suffering and pain. He will have comfort and peace. One day his parents as well as you will join him and my flock will continue to grow." The next day the surgeon went to the boy's room and sat down with the parents beside the bed. In a moment or two, the boy opened his eyes and asked very quietly, "What did you find in my heart?" With tears flowing down his cheeks, the surgeon said, "I found Jesus there." Pastor Dave

Thank You To The Quilters: The New Bethel Union Church Joint Board would like to send a warm thank you to the quilters. These kindhearted women come out every Monday evenings from 7-9 and Tuesday mornings from 8-12. Last year they sewed four quilts. The quilts’ proceeds are donated to the church. This year they have given $900.00. These women come together to make beautiful works of art and enjoy in the fellowship of each other. They would like to send out an invitation to members of New Bethel. Anyone who would like to join them as a quilter, needle worker or just to socialize are welcome.

The Potato Project: We need your help cutting seed potatoes for the Spring planting. The Potato Seed Cutting Sessions are now scheduled this Spring on April 21st and 22nd Saturday and Sunday at 1PM to 4PM each day, in the Schoolhouse of Zion Moselem ELC, 340 Moselem Church Road, Kutztown, PA 19530. This is the same venue as the last two seasons. Directions are on the Web Site if needed. This is a barebones event, Rain or Shine, inside the Schoolhouse, and outside also if it’s nice weather. BRING YOUR OWN KNIFE and Cutting Board Please. Band-Aids will be provided. These sessions of course are dependent on receiving the already ordered seed potatoes, in time. Alternate if needed is the following weekend Saturday and Sunday April 28th and 29th 1-4PM.


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Holy Week At New Bethel Palm Sunday- April 1 Join us in a walk through the Passion and the events of Holy week both in Worship and in a special interactive Sunday School lesson.

Maundy Thursday Service- April 5 Join us Thursday evening at 7:30 PM as we share a special Sedar meal, commemorating the Last Supper

Good Friday Service- April 6 Friday at noon we will observe the Crucifixion of our Lord in our Good Friday service with a Passion Reading

Easter Sunday- April 8 We Celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord! Holy Communion.

7:00AM Sunrise Service 8:00AM Continental Breakfast 9:00AM Easter Worship 10:00AM Easter Egg Hunt for toddlers through grade 6

Note: The last of the “Justice For The Poor” series, used during our Wednesdays in Lent worship, will

be shown as a Bible Study Discussion on Wednesday, April 18. The Title- “From Serial Charity

to Just Society.”

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books

alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.

~Martin Luther


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Women of New Bethel Food Collection: The Women of New Bethel are collecting pasta and pasta sauce for Friend and are continuing to collect peanut putter and jelly for the Sunday School and Friend. Also, Do you need a spring project? If you do consider making a blanket or quilt for the children who attend Camp Noah. It might just be the thing to do! The quilts or blankets may be crocheted, knitted or tied and would prefer twin size quilts or blankets. The deadline to donate them is April 12.

Short Notes:

Railing- If you haven't seen the beautiful new

iron railing that was installed around the outside basement entrance to the church, please take some time to do so. We thank Jon Bond for organizing this railing project. In the future Jon will be painting the roses on the railings and the new roses that were added to the railing that leads from the parking lot. This railing is not only decorative but will prevent our young ones from accidently falling down the concrete stairs to the basement. Money from the sale of anniversary commemoratives paid for this much needed addition.

Assisted Listening Devices- We now have

available assisted listening devices for those who are hard of hearing. If you could benefit from one, they can be found in the basket on the front balcony pew.

Recycle Your Bulletin- If you're not taking

your bulletin home, please recycle it in the basket in the narthex.

Greeter and Ushers- Ruthann is looking for

new greeters and ushers. If you’re interested in volunteering, please see her!


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Coffee Fellowship: Everyone is invited after worship and before Sunday School! Please sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex. Coffee Fellowship sponsors provide the goodies: donuts, cakes, fruit etc. and juice for the kids. Sponsor is not responsible for setting up the coffee and hot water.

Nursery: Would you like to have your 0-5 year old enjoy fun, structured activities while you enjoy worship? New Bethel has created a nursery during worship as a free option for parents. Children are always welcome in worship, but if you chose, the nursery will be available after the children’s sermon, every Sunday downstairs in the Sunday School area. To volunteer to help out with the nursery, please see the information posted in the bulletin board.

Collecting Email Addresses: In an effort to perhaps cut costs by sending out items electronically, instead of by US mail, the Joint Board is asking for your email address. Please send the address to [email protected]. We will put together an e-mailing list of those who wish to be sent information electronically. Please put “collecting” in the subject line.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” Bus Trip: We’ll see “Jesus Christ Superstar” on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theater. The trip is June 23 leaving Kempton Fire Co at 8:00AM for a 2:00PM showtime. The cost is $110 and is non-refundable. For more information, contact Marge Hamm or Linda Schroeder. Time in NYC includes some time for sightseeing, shopping etc.

Praise Jam: A community members has asked New Bethel if we'd like to use his services to help us put together a Praise Band. If anyone is interested in playing or supportive of the idea of a New Bethel Church praise band, come to PJ Place during the Sunday School hour on April 22. The praise band would be comprised of instruments such as guitar, bass, keyboard and drums and would play contemporary Christian music in many genres and modern arrangements of classic hymns.

New Stairlift and Stairlift Fundraiser: The New Bruno Stairlift is installed! This new stairlift has takes up less space on the stairs and is easier to operate. The bill for the stairlift has been paid. However we are asking members of the congregation to help defray the cost. Envelopes are available in the narthex to help pay for the new Stairlift. Or you can donate just by writing a check to New Bethel church and noting that the donation is for the Stairlift. Donations to the Building Fund are also appreciated at this time. It seems that our organ project may finally be near completion. More details will follow, but if you'd like to make a year end Building Fund donation, envelopes are available in the narthex or just send a donation by check to New Bethel Church and note Building Fund.


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If you are in the hospital… **Please note that this information has changed with federation** Privacy rules are in place in our area hospitals and it is important that these are known if you want Pastor Dave to visit you while you are in the hospital.

Lehigh Valley Medical Center: When you are admitted make sure to fill out a form divulging your church membership. There is now one New Bethel LVH Hospital code for New Bethel Church- 457. If your name is identified with this code number when the Pastor calls, the pastoral care office will tell him you are in the hospital. These forms must be filled out every time you are admitted. Your congregational identification does not carry over from previous hospital stays. Also, please have a family member or friend call the church office or Pastor's home when you are admitted, 610-756-6589 or 610-944-5819. No one from the hospital will call the church indicating that you are a patient.

Reading Hospital: A volunteer will call the church office if you identify yourself as a member of New Bethel Church. The new hospital code for New Bethel is 495. At times this process takes a while. It is best if you or a family member call 610-756-6589 or 610-944-5819.

Worship Service Cancellation Information: If Sunday Worship is canceled due to bad weather, announcements will be broadcast on radio station WAEB- AM 790 and television station 69. Information will be posted on their websites as well. Please note that WEEU has suspended the reading of church closings on its broadcasts and WAEB does not guarantee that the closing will be read on the air. Your best bet is channel 69 (WFMZ) or its website, www.wfmz.com.

Join The Choir and Chime Choir Too! It’s not so scary. Can you sing? Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. the choir holds its rehearsals. It would be great to see new faces in the choir pews along with the existing ones. Sing when you can. A commitment would be nice but if you can’t commit weekly, how about two or three times a month. Singing can be addicting and it makes you smile. Also on Thursday at 6:30, before the vocal choir, our Chime Choir rehearsals. Talk to LeAnne Zettlemoyer if you'd like to make beautiful music with the Chime Choir. There's a chime waiting for you!

Safe Congregation: A committee of Tina Gammons, Joanne Waidelich, Lucy Walter, Marge Hamm, and Pastor Dave have been meeting to determine New Bethel's Safe Congregation regulations. These regulations will outline procedures and policies on how adult members of New Bethel are to conduct themselves as they work with our children and youth. After these policies are approved by the Joint Board an information session will be help to explain the Safe Congregations philosophy.


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New Bethel Youth News


ULTRAS (Grades 5-8): ULTRAS will participate in Glow and Bowl with

the Sunday School from 3 to 5pm on April 1st at

Berks Lanes.

ULTRAS also has a car wash on Youth

Sunday—April 15th from 11:30am to 2:30pm.

See an ULTRAS member to purchase a ticket,

or pay $5 without one.

The 7th and 8th grade confirmation class will go

on their annual retreat at the Woodcrest Retreat

camp in Ephrata on April 27 to 29 and will be selling Wixon Shoo-Fly pies to cover cost. Also, there will be a car wash Saturday April 14.

Crosswalk (High School): Crosswalk is working on its retreat in Wildwood

NJ on July 22 to 26. Planning meetings and

fundraisers will be scheduled between now and

July. Please check your mail and Facebook for

details. Also remember Crosswalk Sunday Mornings in PJ Place. Stimulating conversation on all sorts of topics with your peers during the Sunday School Hour.

Sunday School News: • April 1st is “Bring a Friend to Church” Day. We’ll be

bowling at Berks Lanes from 3-5pm. Cost is $5 for kids and $10 for adults—get a voucher from an organizer. Price does NOT include shoes or snacks.

• April 15 is Youth Sunday, mark your calendars!

There will be a skit called “Lost In Grace.”

Mops Meeting: The next meeting will be Monday, April 16, 10am to noon. Open to all preschool and elementary school age moms! For more info contact Tina Gammons The MOPS program really needs some adults to help out once a month for a couple of hours by caring for the children in the church while the mother's meet in PJ Place (schoolhouse.) Please see Pastor Dave or Tina G.


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New Bethel Youth News


Bring A Friend to Church Day!

April 1st (date change!)

Bring a friend to church & Sunday School, then meet us at Berks Lanes for:

Glow and Bowl 3pm – 5pm Berks Lanes

3190 Shillington Road $5 per child with voucher

$10 per adult

The pins glow, the balls glow, the floor glows!!! And so does God’s love for us! Come join in the fun for all ages!

Please help us reserve the correct # of lanes, and please sign up on the sheet

in the narthex by 3/25.

Vouchers are available on the Sunday school bulletin board. Please take only one per child.

See you and your friend(s)at the bowling alley!


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Attendance: Dan Walter, Betsey Nehf, Richard Albright, Joanne Waidelich, Tim Kleinsmith, Pastor Dave Tim Kleinsmith called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM. Pastor Blitch opened with a prayer. The minutes were read and approved. Treasurer’s Report: Reference written report. The copier has been printing poorly. The repair men were here and fixed it, but it has broken again. The repairmen will be coming tomorrow but the church board will be keeping an eye on this and possibly looking into the purchase of a new one if need be. It was also brought to our attention that envelope collections have been low. The treasurer’s report was approved by Betsey Nefh and seconded by Dan Walters. Pastor’s Report: Committees: We are looking into the forming of committees in accordance with the federation bylaws. The pastor has suggested some possibilities. The church board will now contact those people and ask for their help. The pastor will also be writing a brief definition of all the committees and their responsibilities. It was decided to add a committee for fundraising. Bus Trip: A church member has suggested this year’s bus trip be to see Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway on Saturday June 23rd.The tickets will be around $100.00. We will be taking a 47 passenger bus. We will also be opening it up to Friedens and Mount Zion Churches. The board voted to approve this trip and to prepurchase the tickets. It was approved by Dan Walters and seconded by Marje Hamm. Newsletters: It has come to the board’s attention that the mailings have been arriving later since the change in the bulk mailing process. It was decided to keep the mailings but to have a deadline to get them out by the 15th. We will be starting to notify the congregation by email. We hope to lessen the amount of mailings needed over time and save money. New Business: Commemoratives: We still have a few crocks and paperweights to sell. Marje Hamm will be putting them on EBay to help with sales. The prices will remain the same. Continued on next page….

New Bethel Union Church Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 5th, 2012 7:00 PM New Bethel Church Social Room



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Fundraiser: Tim Kleinsmith talked to Jr. about starting the chicken/bbq sales again this year. It looks like we will be able to proceed. We are looking for someone to chair the sales this year. Marje offered to guide the new chair, and stated that there was lots of help throughout the process. Ushers: It was brought to the board’s attention that the usher’s communion process needs to be looked at. Tim will be rewriting the procedure that they should follow and then distribute to all ushers to review. Hopefully this will make communion go a little more smoothly. Maintenance: We are looking into recaulking the windows in the worship area. We also are looking into having someone volunteer their carpentry skills for cabinets after the organ is complete. Vultures: We have become the new home to a kettle of vultures. Tim will be contacting Hawk Mountain Sanctuary to find out if there is anything we can do to minimize the mess they are creating. The meeting was adjourned at 8:58. Respectfully Submitted, Joanne Waidelich

New Bethel Union Church Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 5th, 2012 7:00 PM New Bethel Church Social Room


See the land, her Easter keeping, Rises as her Maker rose. Seeds, so long in darkness sleeping, Burst at last from winter snows. Earth with heaven above rejoices; Fields and gardens hail the spring; Shaughs and woodlands ring with voices, While the wild birds build and sing.

You, to whom your Maker granted Powers to those sweet birds unknown, Use the craft by God implanted; Use the reason not your own. Here, while heaven and earth rejoices, Each his Easter tribute bring- Work of fingers, chant of voices, Like the birds who build and sing

Easter Week by Charles Kingsley


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new bethel church · 09/04/2010 · “jesus christ superstar” bus trip: we’ll see “jesus...

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