vision - razor planetunwrapping the gift of christmas for many years we followed the same tradition....
TRANSCRIPT
December 2014 Pastor Dave’s Corner
Pastor’s Corner 1-2
Children’s Minis- 3-5
BYG Bethel Youth 6-7
YA/College 8
Community & Adult Ministry
9-11
Prayer/Missions 12-14
Support Groups 15
Birthdays & Anni-
versaries
16
Upcoming Events 17
Inside this issue:
Unwrapping the Gift of Christmas For many years we followed the same tradition. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we would go to Little’s Tree Farm and cut a Christmas Tree. We would bring it home and set it in a pail of water by the garage. Then we would head down to the basement to collect the Christmas boxes. The tree would be trimmed of extra branches, the bottom cut semi-flat and it would be pulled through the door and into the living room. For the next couple of hours, we would carefully unwrap our Christmas decorations. We would put Christmas music on the stereo, pour some glasses of eggnog and begin to decorate the tree. Many times, when the process was com-plete, we would turn off all of the lights, except the Christmas tree lights, lie on the floor, and sing Christmas carols together. So the Christmas sea-son would begin for our family. Throughout the month of December, Christmas gifts would be pur-chased, wrapped and stored out of sight, until Christmas Eve. On Christ-mas Eve, after the service at church, we would settle in the living room, by the tree, and open one gift. It was always the same each year; a new pair of pajamas that would be displayed as we reassembled the next morning. Af-ter the children had gone to bed, I would retrieve the Christmas gifts and arrange them around the base of the tree. The last thing I would do, before going to bed, was to fill and hang Christmas stockings for each member of our household. In the morning, the children would sleepily gather in the family room to begin the big day. With coffee or hot chocolate by our side, we would open our Christmas stockings. Then it was upstairs for breakfast. Finally, the moment would come to distribute and open presents. All of those carefully wrapped and decorated presents would be systematically opened in short order. The refuse of wrapping paper and boxes would lit-ter the floor. The rest of the day would be spent leisurely exploring new treasures, eating, reflecting and sitting in front of the roaring fire. Christ-mas had been unwrapped.
Calendar 18
VISION
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-2, 14 (NIV) Sometime after New Year’s Day, the process, which had begun on the Saturday after Thanksgiv-ing, would be reversed, with much less enthusiasm and excitement. The decorations would be re-moved from the tree, carefully wrapped and placed in their boxes. The boxes would be carried back down to the basement and the tree would be deposited in the back yard for the birds to use as shelter near the bird feeders. Sometime later, the tree would be unceremoniously heaved into the ravine to take its place with other Christmas trees from years gone by. The Christmas season would be officially over. I love the Christmas season. I love everything about it; the lights, the anticipation, the gifts, the food, the fun times together. It is a season filled with joy. Unfortunately, it goes by so quickly. It seems to be over in a moment. We are left with a certain amount of emotional letdown. If we could only hang onto that amazing experience a little longer. For most people, Christmas is an event, a point in time. When the time is passed, they move on with life. But God never intended for Christmas to be a point in time, or an event, or a holiday. He intended for it to be the beginning of an amazing journey. Unwrapping the gift of Christmas is all about discovering Jesus. Christmas is an invitation to encounter the glory of God. The Gospel of John gives us the big picture view of Christmas. Rather than focus on the event itself, John focuses on the outcome of the event. Look at what he says.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-2, 14 (NIV)
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Pastor Dave’s Blog:
daves-randomramblings.blogspot.com
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Children’s Ministries
Nursery
Our Nursery Coordinator is
Kristi Borowy. If you would
like to help out in the nursery or
have any questions please con-
tact her at (507) 382-5618 or
Sunday School Sunday School meets Sundays from 9:45am-10:45am. Please contact me as soon as possi-ble if you are interested and can commit to being either a teacher or a helper in one of the classrooms. Thank you! Blessings,
Amber Rick Sunday School Coordinator 507-382-6213
7 8:30 Gretchen & Jerry Bohl and Faith Milton
9:45 Candace & Trent VanOrt
11:00 Angie & Aaron Cherney
14 8:30 Melanie Burton and Kelly Okerman
9:45 Jessica and Matt Balt
11:00 LeAnn Wilcox and Amber Honsey
21 8:30 Angie Johnson and Kim Showcatally
9:45 Carol Edwards and Kristi Borowy
11:00 Shawna Sanburn and Dawna Englehardt
28 8:30 Melissa Alexander & boys and Lori Nelson
9:45 Candace Kolander and Monica West
11:00 Jodi & Anthony Mansfield and Jodell &
AWANA is a children’s ministry here at Bethel meets Wednesdays 6p-8p reaching kids with
the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to train them to serve Him.
Check out the website: Awana.org
Cubbies: Ages 4-5 Sparks: K-2nd grade T&T: 3rd-6th grade
AWANA Commander: Tim Cherney 507-779-1126
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Date
Theme
Dec 3 Regular Club Night
Dec 10 What I want to be When I Grow Up
Dec 17 Christmas Fun - Wear Red & Green - Store Night for T&T
Dec 24 NO AWANA - Christmas Break
*NOTE
If District 77 Schools cancel due to bad weather, there will be NO AWANA.
2014 Fall/Winter Schedule
December 3rd JH & SH Ice Skating ASA meet at Bethel 6-8p
December 10th JH – Christmas Caroling 6-8p
SH – Life Groups
December 17th JH—Life Groups 6-8p SH-Christmas Caroling
December 19th 3rd Annual Christmas Party $ 7-10p
December 24th No Youth Group – Christmas Eve
December 31st No Youth Group – New Year’s Eve
- Driver needed - Meal needed $ - Money needed
**Please keep in mind – This schedule may change. Be sure to check the weekly bulletin and weekly emails for updates and changes.
Key:
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Go BYG! Bethel Youth Group!
Come start December off right !
JH & SH Ice Skating December 3rd, 6-8pm: Invite your friends for some hot cocoa, hot apple cider, and cold ice to skate on! We’ll start at the church and walk over to ASA together as a group.
Caroling & Christmas Baskets. SH and JH will be caroling, sharing the Christ-mas story and delivering Christmas fruit baskets to Sr. Citizens Dec. 10th(JH) and Dec. 17th (SH) from 6-8pm! So dress warm, eat ahead of time, and warm up those vocal cords! If you are interested in helping transport students to and from these visits call Harrison 351-6766.
3rd Annual Christmas Party
For December’s Friday Night Frenzy we’ll celebrate Christmas together with a meal, gift exchange Dec. 19, 7-10 pm, @ BETHEL. Please wear your finest duds (dresses & suits/ties are encouraged), $7 for meal, & a wrapped gift worth $3. All Youth Alumni are welcome!
Go BYG !–Bethel Youth Group!
Vis ion Page 7
Fall Service Projects!
This Fall we've partnered with Habitat for Humanity's Restore and were involved with moving wood and siding for upcoming Habitat houses as well as crushing cans for their aluminum recycling program. Thanks for working so hard and getting dirty for God! building and painting Habitat storage boxes and bird houses.
Lifegroups will continue doing a character study on Mary- how she showed humility and servant hood and selflessness when given the huge job of having and raising Jesus! This study is under our "Others First" theme for Youth this Fall Checkpoint #7 Principal: Consider others before yourself. Critical question: Are you putting the needs of others ahead of your own? Key passage: Philippians 2:3-5, do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.
Selfishness comes naturally to us. Selflessness however must be learned the Bible says that Jesus "made himself nothing" in order to serve the people he loved. He put the needs of others ahead of his own. Checkpoint fo-cuses on the true nature of humility and service. "I would maintain that the highest form of thought is thanks" GK Chesterton
Questions contact Harrison: 507-351-6766 or [email protected].
COLLEGE/YA
Contact info: Bill & Deb Thormodson
email: [email protected] Call or Text: 507-276-5085
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Come and join us at The Forum every Sunday morning at 9:30
here at Bethel. It is open to all ages & we are talking about Phi-
losophy & Apologetics.
Stay after the 11:00 service for some floor hockey or indoor soc-
cer on select Sundays. Just check The Flow before you go!
Sundays 12 noon here at Bethel~Save the dates come and join in
fellowship and great food!
Mark your calendars.
December 7th, 2014
January 18th, 2015
February 8th, 2015
April 12th, 2015
Ping Pong
Community Events
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Senior Adult Lunch is scheduled for
Wednesday, December 17, @ noon.
For $2 per person (if you can) you will
enjoy a home-cooked meal, devotions,
music, a puzzle or trivia, and some awe-
some fellowship! Don’t forget to bring a
friend!
All are welcome to come and play ping pong; young
& old, experienced & the novice. We play every Mon-
day, Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in
The Flow. No need to call or register, no need to even
have a paddle. Just come and have a lot of FUN! Re-
member there will be No ping pong Mon. Nov. 3rd
and Tues Nov. 4th due to voting at Bethel.
Adult Ministry Announcements
Monday Morn-
ings@9:00 am
Men’s Bible Study over
Coffee - Join a group of
men as they study the
Bible and drink a lot of
coffee!
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Men’s Breakfast
Second Saturdays 7:30-9am:
December 13th
January 10th
February 14th
March 14th
April 11th
Friday Mornings
@6:00 am
Men’s Fraternity meets
in Room #11. Study how
to be a biblical man,
husband, & father.
Meet to study the
Men’s “Stepping Up”10
wk video series there
will be a different
speaker & discussion
each week Fridays 6
am (Contact Troy Klos-
ter 387-6195, klos-
Tim Cherney: 507-779-
1126)
Empty Nester's I want to expand my invitation to our Empty Nest Community group. We will be attending the Di-vers Christmas Concert at Bethany Lutheran College on Fri. Dec. 12, at 7:30 PM. The concert will be held in the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center and it is free. The Divers are a local musical group made up of BLC alumni, who play upbeat, zany, fun music. There will be a Christmas carol sing-a-long as a part of the concert. We will meet at Bethany and try to sit together if possible. Following the con-cert we will gather at our house for dessert and fellowship. If the weather is bad we'll meet at the church for dessert. If you would like a more traditional option, the Minnesota Valley Chorale will be performing their Christmas Concert at 7:30 PM on Dec. 12, at Christ The King Lutheran Church. The theme is Sing the Great Mystery- Centuries after Bethlehem. The cost is $10 for Adults, $5 for Seniors. You can join us for dessert after the concert and get in on the fellowship. If you would like to take in both concerts, the Chorale will be singing again on Sat., Dec 13 at 7:30 PM at St. John the Baptist Church. Which ever option you choose, please join us for fellowship. It should be a fun and inspiring night. Please RSVP so that we can plan dessert. Pastor Dave
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December 6th, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
The Potter’s Heart
By
Grace Johnson
After years of religious striving in a dying marriage, battling self hate, rejection, eating
disorder and with chronic health problems; with the potter’s wheel, Grace
has encounter the Master Potter Himself, Never to be the same again. Jesus
Christ brought freedom and healing to her life.
Her potter’s wheel has become a means to share God’s own work in her life.
She will take you on a journey to the heart of God.
Seated at her potter’s wheel, Grace presents God as the potter, whose passion and power
to transform wounded, broken vessels, to vessels of honor.
Her message comes for the Potter’s Heart.
“Behold as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in mind”. Jeremiah 18:6
We encourage everyone to bring Family, Friend, Neighbors ( Yes Gentlemen in-
cluded ) to come to hearing Grace’s share her story of God at the potter’s wheel, to
enjoy good food, fellowship, and receive a Christmas Blessing.
Tickets will be for sale in the foyer and in the office starting November 16th, on the 23rd
and the 30th.
Tickets will be $7.00 or 2 for $12.00.
Praise & Prayer
~ Pray for Harrison and Coralyn and family in the
passing of Harrison’s Grandmother Ardus Wan-
gen
~ Pray for Deb Nordeen who is dealing with health
issues
~ Praise for the birth of Jedediah Visker on Nov.
3, weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz. to the parents of Joe
and Erin Visker
~ Verona Johnson who is dealing with health is-
sues
~ Pray for Eric Peters and Diane & family and
Erics battle with cancer
~ Pray for Audrey and family after the passing of
Sheldon Brown
~ Pray for Kevin Case’s mom Donna as she recov-
ers following extensive back surgery.
~ Pray for the nation of Ukraine
~ Pray for Darryl Biehn who is dealing with
health issues
~ Pray for IVCF missionaries Jon & Kaitlynn
Steele as Jon continues to raise support for
their ministry with Inter-Varsity Fellowship at
MSU, Mankato.
~ Pray for the International Persecuted Church
~ Continued prayers for families who have had
loved ones pass away
~ Pray for CRU missionaries, Matt & Kristen Od-
land, as they minister to students at MSU,
Mankato.
~ Pray for our sister churches in Votlivka &
Tenovka, Ukraine and Cadunan, Philippines
~ Pray for our troops & their families as they
serve overseas: Evan Jeide (son of Kathy Jeide)
& Matthew Riniker (grandson of Margaret
Dawson)
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If you are interested in joining our prayer group you may join us Wednesdays at 4:00 pm and/
or Saturdays at noon in the prayer room here at Bethel. Come for an hour and pray for our fami-
lies, friends, community, country, and our world.
If you have a special prayer request you may use the communication flap on the bulletin, call or
email the church office ([email protected]), or submit a prayer on-line on our website:
www.bethelmankato.com
Missionaries of the Month: Steve & Nopaluck Cable
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Steve & Nopaluck Cable are missionaries with Converge Worldwide
(BGC) who have served in Thailand since 1990. We as a church have
supported them financially and with prayer since then.
Steve grew up in Pennsylvania & accepted Christ as his Savior when he
was 4 years old. Nopaluck is a native of Thailand and was raised as a
Buddhist. When they came to the U.S. for education, Nopaluck and her family became Christians,
and her father is now a pastor in Thailand. Nopaluck and Steve met while attending Bethel Semi-
nary. The Cables have 3 children--Benjamin (24), Sarah (22), and Charissa (17).
The Cables' ministry is focused on reaching university students in Thailand. Bangkok's Rank-
amhang University has over 300,000 students! The Cables direct Santisuk English School, which
provides English classes at a reasonable cost. Why do Thai want to learn English? Millions of
Thai people are involved in the huge tourism industry, do business with foreign companies, have a
foreign boss, or have to contact foreign customers, and all of these jobs require English. Also, the
new Asian Economic Community (AEC) will begin in less than a year, and English ability will
open many economic doors.
Santisuk English school now has 2 locations in Bangkok, and each has weekly worship services
to offer to those who are interested, both in the Thai language and in English. They also offer
yearly Friendship Camps, children's programs, youth groups, and sports camps. The ministry has
recently signed a lease for a 3rd location, and a 4th is also a good possibility. A record number of
Thai people have made definite decisions to accept Christ this year (after months or years of inves-
tigating), and all were significantly impacted by the teaching of English.
Have you ever thought about going on an overseas missions trip? Santisuk is an awesome op-
portunity. They have now had over 600 different teachers volunteer for a month or more. The only
educational requirement is that a person speaks English! Steve Cable says, “Every person who
comes makes a radical impact for Christ BOTH by teaching English AND by the Bible stories and
life witness.” A recent short-term teacher (who had many years of experience as a missionary)
wrote this about Santisuk: “This was one of the most effective mission trips I have ever been
privileged to take, because we were able to connect very personally with the people to whom we
came to minister. The school staff are all believers and they are precious people with a real burden
for the Thai. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I would rate this trip an 11, better than
the best.” Maybe God is calling you to go!
Check out the school's website for more information: www.santisuk.org
NOTICE: Check out the missions bulletin board (near the kitchen) for updated letters from our missionaries!
Some current prayer requests for the Cables:
1. Pray for the Cables' kids. Two are in the U.S.: Ben at Dakota State (SD) and Sarah at Azusa
(CA). Charissa is a senior in high school in Bangkok, and is applying to colleges in the U.S.
2. Pray for the Cables as they pastor the Thai church and direct the English school. Pray for
wisdom, good health, and spiritual vitality.
3. Pray for the students who come to Santisuk for English classes. Pray that they would see
Jesus in the teachers' lives and through studying the English curriculum (based on the Bible), and
that many would come to know Him.
4. Pray for more English teachers! Steve says, "We aren't just asking people to come and teach
English in Thailand nor to come to Thailand for a good vacation, but we're calling people to come
and join what God is doing, what God is blessing, what God is using as an excellent evangelistic
tool that is appropriate for sharing the gospel with the Thai peole--and THAT IS WORKING."
Pray that God would call those He has in mind, provide the resources for them to go, and make
their work effective.
Page 15 V is ion
Support Groups
Cracked Pots Support
NAMI-Mankato (National
Alliance for Mental Illness) is
a non-profit organization
dedicated to educating, sup-
porting, and advocating for
both adults & children & their
families affected by mental
illnesses (brain disorders).
We offer two support groups
here at Bethel Baptist Church.
The Connections Group is
for those who live with a
mental illness. It is facilitated
by peers who also live
with a mental illness and
is confidential. They meet
the 2nd & 4th Thurs-
days of each month at
6:30-8:00 p.m.
The Family Support
Group is for family &
friends who have a loved
one that lives with a men-
tal illness. It is also facili-
tated by peers and confi-
dential. They meet the
2nd & 4th Thursdays of
each month at 6:30-8:00
p.m.
For more information
please call Brian Guess at
(507) 317-3595 or visit
o u r w e b s i t e a t
www.namimankato.org
Cracked Pots is a weekly disability support group led by a
Joni and Friends ministry associate. It meets on Wednesdays
from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Bethel Baptist. Each week, group mem-
bers warmly share their lives, read one chapter of Scripture, and a
group member prays for each person individually. Always wel-
come over the years have been people with any kind of disability
ranging from ADHD, traumatic brain injury, mental illness of any
kind, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, quadriplegia,
and dyslexia to stroke. Contact Daniel at 507-549-3637 or
NAMI Connections & Family Groups
Divorce Care Thursday’s here @ Bethel from 7pm-8:30. Encourage those in need of
this support to come. Contact: Carol Krosch [email protected] (507)420-6999
Divorce care
3………………………………………………………….......BYG: JH&SH Ice Skating meet at Bethel
6………………………………………………………………..Christmas Brunch
10……………………………….……………....…….….….BYG: JH Caroling, SH Life Groups
12……………………………………………………………...Empty Nester’s Event
13……………………………………………………………...Men’s Breakfast
14……………………………………………………………...College Lunch
17……………………………………………………………..Senior Lunch; BYG: JH Life Groups, SH Caroling
19……………………………………………………………..BYG: JH&SH Christmas Party
21……………………………………………………………..Children’s SS Christmas Program
24……………………………………………………………..Christmas Eve Service
25……………………………………………………………..Christmas Day
25-Jan. 1…………………………………………………...Office Closed
31……………………………………………………………..New Year’s Eve
Birthdays & anniversaries
Upcoming Events
Page 16 V is ion
16...Thomas Mantor, Nathan Engel-
hardt
19...Tim Cherney
20. Philip Bunde
21. Abe Letourneau
23...Brenda Bunde, Staff Harder
26...Neva Bohl;
29...Alex Hobbie
30...Shawn Berry; Candace Ko-
lander;
Jonathan & Sarah Allott
31...Catina Atherton; Lucas Schom-
mer;
December Birthdays and Anniversaries:
1...Kevin Case
2...Darryl & Connie Biehn
4...Rosemary Boutwell;
Toby Schommer
6...Ginger Burt
10...Jake Hennager
12...Bill Thormodson
15...Brooke Riley
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
6
Noon Prayer
7 9:45 SS, Ro-
mans; 11 Mark
and Mandarin
College/YANoon
Floor Hockey
6pEngelhardt
SmGrpSt.Clair
9
4:30p Ping
Pong
10
4pPrayerGrp
6-8pJH-Carol
6-8p SH-LifeG
6:30p Cracked
Pots SGrp
7pBanfieldSGrp
14 9:45 SS, Ro-
mans11 Mark
College Lunch
6pEngelhardt
SmGrpSt.Clair
11 4:30p Ping
Pong
6:30p Wor-
ship Voc/Instr
7p-8:30 Divor-
ceCare
7pLeadership
12
6a Men’s
Fraternity
7:30pm
Empty Nest-
ers
13 Noon
Prayer
Group
7:30-9am
Men’s Break-
fast
8 9a Men’s
Coffee/Bible
Study
4:30p Ping
Pong
15 9a Men’s
Coffee/Bible
Study
4:30p Ping
Pong
16 4:30p
Ping Pong
17 Noon Sr.
Lunch
4p Prayer Grp
6-8p AWANA
6-8p JH-LifeG,
6-8p SH-Carol
6:30p Crack-
edPotsSGrp
18 4:30p Ping
Pong
5:30p NAMI
Bus. Mtg.
6:30p Wor-
ship-Voc/Instr
7p-8:30 Divorce-
Care
19
6a Men’s
Fraternity
7p-10p BYG
SH&JH Christ-
mas Party
20
Noon Prayer
Group
Christmas
Choir Practice
9:30 am-
11:30 am.
21 9:45 SS, Ro-
mans; 11 Mark
and Mandarin
College/YANoon
Floor Hockey
6pEngelhardt
SmGrpSt.Clair
4:pm-5pm Chil-
dren’s SS Christ-
mas Program
22
9a Men’s
Coffee/Bible
Study
4:30p Ping
Pong
23
4:30p Ping
Pong
24 4p Prayer
6:30p
Cracked Pots
No BYG
No AWANA
6pm Christ-
mas Eve
Service
25
Christmas
26
6a Men’s
Fraternity
(Office
Closed 25th-
Jan. 1)
27
12p Prayer
Group
28 9:45 SS, Ro-
mans; 11 Mark
and Mandarin
College/YANoon
Floor Hockey
6pEngelhardt
SmGrpSt.Clair
29
9a Men’s
Coffee/Bible
4:30p Ping
Pong
Office Closed
30
4:30p Ping
Pong
Office Closed
314pPrayerG
6:30p
Cracked Pots
No AWANA
No BYG
NewYearsEve
Office Closed
30 9:45 SS, Ro-
mans; 11 Mark
and Mandarin
College/YANoon
Floor Hockey
6pEngelhardt
SmGrpSt.Clair
2
4:30p Ping
Pong
34pPrayerGrp
6-8p JH&SH
Skating meet
@Bethel
6-8pAWANA
6:30pCracked
Pots;7pBanfield
4
4:30p Ping
Pong
5
6a Men’s
Fraternity
Vis ion Page 17
Sermon Topics:
11/30 Isaiah 9:1-7 Unwrapping the Promise
12/07 John 1:1-14 Unwrapping the Big Picture
12/14 Gal. 3:26-4:7 Unwrapping the Plan
12/21 Luke 2:1-20 Unwrapping the Reality
12/24 6pm Christmas Eve. Unwrapping the Gift
12/28 Matt. 2:1-12 Unwrapping the Affirmation
1 9a Men’s
Coffee/Bible
Study
4:30p Ping
Pong
1250 Monks Ave.
Mankato, MN 56001
(Across from All Seasons Arena)
Phone: (507) 345-4011
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bethelmankato.com
Bethel Baptist
SENIOR PASTOR:
DAVID J. BANFIELD
PASTOR OF STUDENT MINIS-
TRIES: HARRISON MUSSER
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
8:30 AM FAMILY
9:45 AM TRADITIONAL
11:00 AM CONTEMPORARY
9:30 AM YOUNG ADULT “THE FORUM”
Unwrapping the Gifts of Christmas
Come Join Us Sundays: Nov. 30th through Dec. 28, and Christmas Eve as we unwrap the gifts of Christmas.