August 2017

The Epistle

Mt. Bethel UMC Newsletter

9042 NC HWY 127N

Hickory, NC 28601

(828) 495-8941 Email address:

mt.bethel@charter.net

Website address:

www.mtbethelumc.org

Pastor: Rev Dale Bost Church (828) 495-8941

Home (828) 495-7435 Email: dbost@wnccumc.net

Secretary/Treasurer

Denise Lewis

Financial Secretary

Rhonda Reinhardt

Pianist

Wendy Moretz

Director of Music

Donna Reid

Youth Coordinator:

Candy Millsaps

Children’s Coordinator:

Nancy Johnson

ASC/SDC Director:

Kathy Travis

CDC Director: Kimberly Crane

Administrative Council

Chairman: Max Watson

Service Times:

Sunday

Coffee Social 8:30am

Sunday School 9:00am

Worship Service 10:00am

Choir Practice/UMYF 6:00

Monday

Prayer Grp 10am

(except 1st Monday)

3rd Sunday (except holidays)

God’s Kids Club

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From the Pastor’s Desk

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8)

Greetings in the Name of the Lord, As I said before Hannah and I have a small garden this year. Being a gar-dener means my garden is not always on my mind, but at least daily—especially in the growing season. This can involve both agony and ecstasy. With the garden gloriously blooming and with produce starting to hang heavy on vines and branches, tending the garden is almost always in the back of my mind. This made thinking about going on a planned vacation with my family this summer both a delight and somewhat worrisome. Who would watch over the garden? Who would pick the produce? Going away for a few days seemed almost like sleeping on the job. This reflection prompts me to be all the more amazed with the Lord, the di-vine gardener. The creator of heaven and earth watches over us always. The Lord does not fall asleep on the job, and he protects us from all harm. The one who watches over all aspects of life in his garden does not go on vacation. It’s not that God is against vacations. He knows we benefit from time away to rest, rejoice, and rejuvenate in the wonders of life in his world. But he is God, and he doesn’t need a vacation. I hope the Lord gives you some time off to rest and be refreshed and maybe even to travel and enjoy other places. Find peace of heart and mind as you re-flect on how completely God -watches over and cares for you. Lord, thank you for watching over us and all things in your creation. Nurture us with the rest and refreshment you provide. In Jesus, Amen. Well folks, August is here, and although you could not tell it by the heat, summer and vacation times are winding down. This month I have a Continu-ing Education opportunity and will be out of town August 7-10. Then on Sun-day, August 13 we have Homecoming with Rev. Steve Joyce speaking fol-lowed by a cover-dish meal. Please come and invite your family and friends. On Sunday, August 20 the United Methodist Women will have their annual cookout at Sarah and Dewitt Moretz’s home. On August 28, sadly for the kids, summer break is over and the kids go back to school. Of course this time of year we need to be thinking about getting ready for Charge Conference. Remember in your prayers our long prayer list, but also give God the praise and thanksgiving for the many wonderful blessings this season and this year has brought to us as individuals, as families, as a church, and as a community. May God bless you with grace and peace,

Pastor Dale

The Epistle Page 2/September 2005

Page 2/August 2017

2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE DELEGATE REPORT

The theme for the 2017 Annual Conference of the Western North Carolina UMC was: Go and Baptize the

World (Matthew 28:16-20). Opening worship service was Friday, June 23rd at 10:30 am with the entire Confer-

ence reaffirming our baptism. Bishop Paul L. Leeland (presiding Bishop) called on all present to remember their

own baptism. Bishop Leonard E. Fairley (Kentucky Conference) delivered the message titled "One Lord, One

Faith, One Baptism." He told the attendees to "hold on to your baptism, don't mess with this water."

Recognition of 2017 Retirees service was Friday afternoon at 3:30 pm. The life and ministry of 54 retir-

ees were celebrated.

The Commissioning Service was Friday night at 7:30 pm with Bishop R. Lawson Bryan (South Georgia

Conference) delivering the message, "The Great Discovery," who am I? - Go. During this service, sixteen provi-

sional members were commissioned.

Saturday, July 24th at 11:00 am the Celebration of Life service was held with Rev. Donald Jenkins (St.

Paul UMC, Winston-Salem, NC) delivered the message, "Swept Away." He stressed the fact that God does not

change, the Bible does not change, the church does not change, we change. Nineteen Clergy and Diaconal Minis-

ters were remembered as well as twenty-six spouses of clergy.

Saturday night at 7:30 pm the Order of Worship for the Ordination of Deacons and Elders was held.

Twenty persons were ordained into full connection (3 deacons, 17 elders). Pastor Dale Bost was one of the newly

ordained elders. The sermon was delivered by Bishop Lawson Bryan titled "When the Wine Runs Out." He re-

minded the attendees of Conference that Jesus can always change the water into wine and that miracles do happen

in God's time.

Bishop Paul L. Leeland delivered the closing worship service of Service of the Word, Table and the Fix-

ing of Appointments on Sunday morning, July 25th at 10:00 am, titled "Run So As to Win." He reminded all in

attendance that we should live our lives to win the final victory. After the sermon, Holy Communion was cele-

brated and the fixing of appointments.

During the 2017 Annual Conference, there were two special offerings, one on Friday and the other on

Sunday. The offering at Opening Worship was taken for the Central Conference Theological Education

Fund. The total offering was $16,702 dollars. David Johnston a member at West Market Street UMC in Greens-

boro gave a matching gift of the same amount, making the total of $33,404 dollars. Jerre and Mary Joy Stead

matched this offering again through a generous investment of $1 million dollars for theological education in the

central conferences. The offering at Closing Worship was taken for the ministerial Education Fund and will go to

assist seminarian from the Western North Carolina Conference. The total offering was $15,833.31dollars.

Major actions of the Annual Conference included:

Voted on all five constitutional amendments on the first day of Annual Conference and the results were sent to

General Conference officials. (For more information on these constitutional amendments, if passed by all Confer-

ences will be printed in The Book of Discipline, see Pastor Dale Bost or Nancy Johnson.)

The approval of a proposal from the Board of Trustees to move the conference center from its current location

to a site in Huntersville, North Carolina, adjacent to the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina.

The current building is in Charlotte that needs extensive repairs and is located on land that is not owned by the

Conference. The Conference Board of Trustees are NOT asking that costs of the new building, nor the debt ser-

vice, be passed along to the conference through apportionments

Passage of the 2018 Budget of $16,209,006 dollars for conference expenses and General Church Funds. An

additional $1.85 million dollars will be apportioned through the districts for missional engagement, church vitality

and benevolence grants. This was a 1.19% reduction from 2017.

Russ Pierce, Executive Director for Mission Engagement and Director of The Advance, with the Board of

Global Ministries, recognized the Western North Carolina Conference for its leadership in the Southeastern Juris-

diction. The conference is first in giving to US-based projects to the Advance giving over $488,000 dollars. The

conference is also first in the jurisdiction for giving to UMCOR with $820,000 dollars, and that is second in the

entire denomination.

The Epistle

Page 3/August 2017

2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE DELEGATE REPORT (CONT)

Petitions that were approved by the Annual Conference included:

The conference passed a petition that recognizes the 50th anniversary of the historic mergers with the Evangelical

United Brethren and the Central Jurisdictions in 1968 and that the Archives and History Commission along with the Jus-

tice and Reconciliation Team will work together to implement celebrations at the 2018 Annual Conference.

The conference passed the Western North Carolina Arrearage Policy submitted by the Commission on Equitable

Compensation as required by the 2016 Book of Discipline.

The conference passed a petition concerning Senate Bill 594 in the N.C. State Senate that would decrease the number

of social service departments from 100 counties to 30 regional offices. The body voted to “strongly oppose North Caroli-

na Senate Bill 594, urge its defeat in the legislature, and recommend to the Governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper that

he veto this law, if approved, so that every county Department of Social Services and infrastructures connected therein

throughout North Carolina can promptly and effectively provide the help and care to those who need it the most.”

Laity Speaker was Linda Ollis Talor from Avery County. Heard reports from the laity of the conference which in-

cluded the UMM that was recognized again as the top group in the country and the UMW which continues to lead the

nation as #1 in Mission Giving and Legacy Giving. Report was given by the UMY on the work of the youth of the con-

ference.

Heard reports from Crossnore School & Children's Home (serving 350 children), Congregations for Children (Mt.

Bethel in partnership with Hiddenite Elementary School), Commission of the Way Forward, Council on Campus Minis-

tries, Justice and Reconciliation Team, and Church Vitality. The Church Vitality Denman Award went to Pastor Joshua

Sherfey of First UMC of Taylorsville.

Nine churches in the conference were discontinued and abandoned. Three churches in the Appalachian District, two in

the Uwharrie District, one in the Northern Piedmont District, one in the Metro District, one in the Blue Ridge District,

and one in the Catawba Valley District.

90% of apportionments paid in 2016.

Membership stands at 282,618, down 137 from the previous year.

Worship attendance stands at 104,557, down 849.

Church school attendance stands at 42,191, down 1,744.

Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2016- 3054, down 796.

Adults and young adults in small groups for 2016- 71,820, down 6,843.

Worshippers engaged in mission for 2016- 75,457, down 3,206.

The 2018 Annual Conference is scheduled for June 21-24, 2018 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your Laity Delegate, Nancy T. Johnson

YOU ARE INVITED… HOUSEHOLD WEDDING

SHOWER FOR CHRIS EVANS & SUSAN ROBERTS

Sunday, August 20 2:00-4:00PM

Mt Bethel Church Parlor.

They are registered at Belk’s, Bed, Bath &

Beyond and any Gift Cards will be accepted.

UMW COOKOUT AT THE

MORETZ’S LAKE HOUSE

SUNDAY August 20 4:00PM

Attendees are requested to bring

desserts and drinks and don’t forget your lawn chairs!

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United Methodist Men Families gather down by the lake...

The UMM and their families along with others gath-ered at Dewitt and Sarah Moretz’s home on Saturday evening, July 15

th, for our Annual Summertime UMM’s

Lake Cookout and Fellowship. Everyone had an awesome time and enjoyed a relaxing evening of food and fellowship down by the lake. A big “THANK YOU” to Dewitt & Sarah for hosting us! Our UMM’s Fellowship will not gather during Au-gust due to Homecoming activities unless a call meet-ing is needed. Our next scheduled meeting will not be until Sunday morning, September 10

th, at 7:00am in

the church fellowship hall for breakfast, fellowship and seeing where Christ leads us. We have a lot of busi-ness to cover that morning also (including our upcom-ing October - Fall BBQ Pork & Chicken fundraiser, Officers for 2018 (Charge Conference preparations), UMM’s Sunday & Recognitions along with several other important topics). All men (of all ages) of the church need to be present and bring a friend with you! See you there! UMM Secretary Kevin Beard, Rodney Bolick

“Camp Out - Getting S'More of Jesus" WOW VBS 2017 was a blast! Everything we did at Camp

Out was to help us discover that JESUS IS THE LIGHT.

Whenever we heard the words - "Jesus is the light" - any-

where during Camp Out, we would point up with both

hands and shout, "Follow him!".

We had a camp meeting each night at our campsite

around the campfire, sang some songs, and talked about

how Jesus has so much goodness and love that he's a light

for the entire world. The main Bible verse for VBS was

from the book of John, chapter 8, verse 12, Jesus says, "“I

am the light of the world."

The young campers had a time of Bible Exploration with

Pastor Neil Bowman of Community Christian Fellowship

Church. The young campers made a plaque, "He counts the

stars and knows them by name" with glow in the dark stars

to take home and assembled 100 hygiene kits for the home-

less. The adults had a Bible study with Pastor David Hefner

of Shiloh Lutheran Church. Camp Out closed with fun in

Inflatables and S'mores.

The GKC will meet on August 20, 2017 at the church

right after worship in the parlor. Bring a picnic lunch. All

children, kindergarten through fifth grade, are invited to

come and bring a friend.

Nancy Johnson, Children's Coordinator

UMYF NEWS

Boy was July an action packed month for the UMYF!

We had a wonderfully blessed mission trip to Plym-

outh, NC (our 3rd trip.) Hannah and Abby Starnes

were both group leaders this year. Each were in

charge of a group of 5-6 youth on the work sites in

addition to leading their groups during daily devo-

tions. Hannah also lead the entire group in one of our

nightly devotions. Both ladies did a wonderful job.

Everyone worked hard in service of the Plymouth

community even in extreme heat. Roofing, decking,

siding, plumbing, and painting were just a few of our

jobs during the week. One of our key devotions was

based on Hebrew 10:24, “And let us consider how we

may spur one another on toward love and good

deeds”. We learned to always be encouraging toward

one another and to love others with our words and our

works. Each of us returned home feeling very blessed

and humbled. We all want to thank the church for

supporting us in being the hands and feet of Jesus in

Plymouth. We will be looking for ways to serve in

His name here at home in the future. We had a great

time at our lock-in on July 23 which began with pizza,

bowling, and milk shakes. We played card games,

xbox, pingpong, and a little hide-n-seek. Abby and I

are ninja's when it comes to hide-n-seek. Lanie and

Duncan couldn't stay the entire night but Nancy and

the boys (Dalton, Nick, Garison, and Zane) pulled an

all nighter while the girls (Hannah, Abby, and Leah)

and I crashed around 4am. Nancy and I started break-

fast at 6am but it took us a little while to get the girls

up to eat. We were planning on working in the old

part of the church Monday morning but we were just

too exhausted and it was very hot on that side of the

church. We will plan to work over there during our

fall lock-in.

Coming up in August....

July 30th- regular meeting at 6:30 in the UMYF room,

we will be electing new officers, devotions based on

Matthew 18:15-35, Jesus dares us to get along.

August 4th- swimming at the Bullard's, 5:30-8:30.

Hannah Starnes will be leading our devotions.

August 6th- no UMYF

August 12th- tubbing trip, (open to the church, please

let myself or Nancy know if you are interested in go-

ing.)

August 13th & 20th– No youth

August 19th- Youth car wash fundraiser

August 27th- regular meeting at 6:30, Jesus dares us

to store away good stuff (Matthew 6:19-21)

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Candy Millsaps

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The Epistle

SAVE THE DATE — UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR … SEPTEMBER Monday, Sept 4 Church office closed for Labor Day Tuesday, Sept 5 Nominating Committee 7:00PM

Monday, Sept 11 Joy Meeting 10:30AM

Tuesday, Sept 12 Worship Committee Meeting 7:00PM

Wednesday, Sept 13 First Night of Wednesday Night Bible Study 6:30PM

Thursday, Sept 14 CDC Meeting 6:30PM

Saturday, Sept 16 Bethlehem Day Sunday, Sept 17 GKC 11:30AM

Monday, Sept 18 UMM sponsored American Red Cross Bloodmobile 3:00-7:30PM

Finance Committee Meeting 7:00PM To set 2018 Budget

Tuesday, Sept 19 VOW Meeting 7:00PM

Saturday, Sept 23 Beard/McKinney Wedding

Sunday, Sept 24 Christian Education/Teacher Appreciation Sunday followed by a covered dish luncheon

Administrative Council Meeting 7:00PM

Monday, Sept 25 Alexander Missional Network Meeting @ Liberty UMC 6:30PM

OCTOBER Sunday, Oct 1 World Communion Sunday UMYF SPAGHETTI FUNDRAISER 11:30AM

Monday. Oct 2 JOY Meeting 10:30AM

Saturday, Oct 7 UMM Fall BBQ beginning at 11:30 from the UMM trailer, serving plates 4:00PM until….

Tuesday, Oct 10 Worship Committee Meeting 7:00PM

Thursday, Oct 12 CDC Meeting 6:30PM

Sunday, Oct 15 Laity Sunday GKC Program and Lunch 11:30AM

Tuesday, Oct 17 VOW Committee Meeting 7:00PM

Sunday, Oct 22 CROP Hunger Walk 2:30PM (Registration at 2PM)

Sunday, Oct 29 UMM Sunday CROP Hunger Walk Rain Date 2:30PM

PRAYER LIST “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known to God” IIl Health— Dane Hill (Pastor Steve’s grandson), Susan Shipley, Lee McLawhon, Mary Beth Waddell, Phyllis Miller,

Lynn Tevepaugh, Arlene Dunn, Cindy Strout, Doris Ann Carrigan, Steve & Carolyn Bolick, Amy Jenkins, Cliff Fishor &

Family, Beulah Bolick, Jimmy Greenhill, Matt Strickland, Frances Hall, Sherry Weaver, Steven Fenick, Dick Klein,

Michele Dunn, Robert (Robbie) Bolick, Marilyn Kohnle, Gladys Lanier, Jeanne Lanier, Dallas Hicks, Melza Starnes,

Ruth Rae Starnes, Larry Bolick, Thomas Cofer, Chris Meade, Charles Baker, Katie Watts, Denise Lewis, Pat Benson,

Elaine Hurt, Karen Bowman, Pat Watson, Ronald Fox, Rex Teague, Sharon Jones, Rodney Eggers, Cort Hollar

Home Members—Mae Eckard, Emily Armstrong, Mae Teague, Helen Sigmon, Allene Starnes

Cancer—Becky Cline, Cindy Huizenga, Wendy Miller, Christin Gates, Pantha Fox, Rett Barrett, Pam Skoglund, Judy

Rairdon, Brenda Bolick, Carolyn Bowman, Bobbi Auten, Lois Ewing, Marshall Rudisill, David Stone, Mark Bolick,

Thomas Jacquot, Ken Mays (Cheryl Lytton’s brother)

General Concern—Krissy Atapovich Family, Kelly Blanton, Dianne Shaw, Kim Hawkins, Brian Stone, Lindsey & Ann

Kirby, Chris, Teresa & Tommy Smith, Rob & Ellen Strickland, Jackson & Aubrey Stone, Casey Moretz, Brock Elliott,

Kelly & Jake Prevette, Becky, Lexie & Jackson Ward, Leah Starnes, Natasha & Remi Ross (Church Custodian), Jamie

Teeters, Michael Sneed, Scott, Kristin Mikeal

Military—Ernest Jones, Logan Miller, Blaze Carswell, Colonel Neil Khatod

Surgery & Recovery—Justin & Mason Bowman, Ricky Baker, Amy Shook, Claude Harmon, Pam Williamson, Karen

Bowman

Deaths—Family of Ami Fletcher, Clyde Hollar Family, Paul Lanier

AUGUST

ANNIVERSARIES

2 Tim & Donna Reid

16 Greg & Cindy McLawhon

20 Mark & Debbie Davis

25 Randy & Nancy Shook

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AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

1 Mark Hefner, Amy Warren, Don Strout

2 Mary Penn

3 Scott Bowman

5 Sharon Starnes, Aubrey Reitzel

6 Chris Bostian

7 Coulter Moretz

8 Logan Kirby

10 Deanne Teague

11 Kathy Travis, Dale Beck

12 Charles Flowers, Carl Teague

14 Lee Goble, Lawson Bowman

17 Donna Moretz

18 Dick Klein

19 Jacob Richey, CJ Gosnell

20 Jeremy Starnes

21 Robbie Killian

23 Shane Teague, Luke Starnes

28 Mary Teague

29 Keaton Beard

31 Linda Bolick

COMMUNITY NEWS

August donation items for the

Mt. Pisgah Food Pantry will be

School Supplies. There is a box outside

the sanctuary for collections.

Thanks so much for

everyone’s support!!!

JOY NEWS

The JOY meeting will be 10:30 on

Monday Aug 7 with a tomato

sandwich lunch. Bread will be

provided. Bring the trimmings

and dessert. Guest will be Kim

Corrither-Public Relations/Marketing

Coordinator for Hospice.

AMERICAN RED

CROSS BLOOD DRIVE Sponsored by the UMM

Next Blood Drive:

September 18th 3:00-7:30PM

MT. BETHEL UMC

HOMECOMING SUNDAY, August 13 10:00AM

Rev Steve Joyce will be our speaker in Sunday worship

followed by a covered dish luncheon.

Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church 9042 NC HWY 127 Hickory, North Carolina 28601

Return Service Requested

Western North Carolina Conference

Title: The Epistle

Date: AUGUST 2017

Issue: Volume 22 Issue 8 Published: Monthly with Exceptions

By: Mount Bethel United Methodist Church

9042 NC HWY 127 Hickory, NC 28601

Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church

“Our Mission Statement”

“The mission of Mt Bethel United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the good news of God’s grace and by exemplifying Jesus’ command to love God and neighbor. We

believe that the heart of Christian ministry is Christ’s ministry of outreaching love. Together, we seek to be the expression of the mind and mission of Christ by living our daily lives in light of our

relationship with God.”