Christmas in August for Little Children Around the World

At a time when Bethany Christian Church is on the receiving end of so many gifts to help rebuild the sanctuary and fellowship hall, members of Bethany have not forgotten that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. Led by Barbara James, church members have again packed shoe boxes full of educational and fun items for needy and disadvantaged children around the world. Franklin Graham's organization, Samaritan's Purse, will distribute these at Christmas to share the joy of the birth of Christ, in many cases to little children who have never heard of Christ.

Pound Cakes and Sweet Tea Needed!

The fundraising committee needs 32 pound cakes and 40 gallons of sweet tea for the barbecued chicken dinner Sept. 22.

If you can bake 1 to 2 pound cakes (sliced in 16 pieces wrapped or bagged)and make 1 to 2 gallons of sweet tea in jugs, please call Terry Cannan at 249-2422 or 670-0030.

The cake and tea must be delivered to the Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Department by 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22.

History Project Needs Memories!

Church Historian Shirley Ensley wants your memories! The history committee is preparing a display for homecoming that will include an I remember when... collection.

Perhaps you have childhood memories of Bethany, or remember stories told by parents or grandparents. Please share your memories with a sentence, a paragraph or a short story. Also, photographs of the church building--inside or outside--are needed.

Shirley asks that everyone participate, whether long-time or short-time members or attendees. All have memories to share.

Please provide your memories to Shirley or Roger Ensley, Clara Ensley or Floyd Hardison, or drop your memories by the church office.

Arapahoe Free Will Baptist Church Sends Thanks Along with Donation

Terry Cannan received the following note:

Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

We wish to thank all of you for your participation in the fundraiser. Some brought cookies out for us to use, some stayed up all night with my husband cooking pigs, some of you came out to help chop the pigs and others helped in serving and clean-up. Many of you came out to buy plates, thank each of you for your support. We share in your loss and hope that our efforts whelped in your goal to rebuild your church building.

In Christian love,
Donna Altman and the Arapahoe FWB Church Family

This note was accompanied by a check for more than $7,000.00 in proceeds from the barbecue plate fundraiser sponsored by Arapahoe FWB Church.

Fundraising Committee Organizes Chicken Barbecue

Bethany’s fundraising committee has organized a chicken barbecue to benefit Bethany’s rebuilding effort. It is to be held Saturday, Sept. 22 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Department.

The eat-in or take-out dinner will consist of one-half chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, roll, dessert and tea. Each plate is $7.00.

After Labor Day, the committee will be recruiting cakes, cookers and workers for the event, so be prepared to volunteer!

For more information, contact Terry or John Cannan, 249-2422 or 670-0030.

First Annual Arapahoe Music Festival to be Held October 6

The First Annual Arapahoe Music Festival Benefit Concert will be held October 6 beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Bethany Christian Church pavilion at the crossroads in Arapahoe. While admission is free, donations will be gratefully accepted. All proceeds will benefit the Bethany Christian Church rebuilding project.

The event will feature gospel and praise music, oldies and more. There will be food concessions, but those attending are asked to bring picnic chairs and blankets. Please put it on your calendar--you will not want to miss it!

Please check this site for further details: They will be posted as they become available.

Calendar Shows Seasons of the Christian Year

The church calendar now shows a column for "Liturgical Season (Seasons of the Christian Year)." It is left column, headed "LS*." The asterisk denotes that there is more information at the end of the calendar, where the liturgical season codes that can be found in the column are noted and described, along with liturgical colors. On the calendar, Sundays are highlighted with the color for the current liturgical season.

We Will "Lift Up Our Voices" Sunday, September 9

To replace the hymnals lost in the fire, we will "Lift Up Our Voices" during morning worship service Sept. 9, and place orders for new Chalice Hymnals.

Members and friends of Bethany will be able to designate hymnals ordered to the honor of, or the memory of, whomever they wish. The price of each hymnal is about $20.00.

Please come to worship Sept. 9 and place your order!

Rocky Mount Youth to Visit Bethany September 9

Youth of First Christian Church in Rocky Mount will visit Bethany Sept. 9. During the morning worship service on "Lift up our Voices" Sunday, they will present gifts to Bethany from First Christian, then join Bethany youth for a cookout and swimming at Camp Caroline. Come give a warm welcome to our Brothers in Christ from Rocky Mount!

Fundraising Committee Schedules Meetings

Bethany's fundraising committee has scheduled meetings at 7:00 p.m. in the church library on the following Thursdays: Aug. 23, Sept. 12 and Sept. 27.

Members of the committee are as follows: Co-chairs Terri & John Cannan, Tommy Banks, Janci Cahoon, Gary Edge, Sandra Faulkner, Margaret Harrell, Kelly Jones and Chris Watson.

The committee welcomes ideas and suggestions. Please contact any member to share your ideas or suggestions.

Dreams Survey Deadline Extended to August 31

The building committee has extended to August 31 the deadline for receiving thoughts, hopes and dreams survey responses for Bethany's new building.

Please share your dreams and visions for our new building by writing your thoughts down and dropping them into the offering plate at Sunday worship, mailing to the church at post office box 156, Arapahoe, NC 28510, emailing to minister@bethanyarapahoe.org, or dropping in the box at Bethany Hall.

Outreach Committee to Meet Sept. 13

The outreach committee will meet Thursday, Sept. 13, in the church library at 7:00 p.m.

Members of Bethany's Extended Family Reach Out

Rose Hill Baptist Church was having their Vacation Bible School the week
that your church burned. We decided to donate our offerings that week to
your rebuilding efforts and sent $500. My mother Dora Alice Banks Moritz
grew up in Arapahoe and in Bethany Christian Church (she is the daughter
of Leona and Rufus Banks, and sister to Phillip and Honey Banks). She is
now a member of Rose Hill Baptist along with her two daughters, Cindy and
Carol, and their families.

Attached is a picture of Kyle Murphy as he placed a donation in the basketball goal.
(it was a sport's theme!)

Best wishes in your rebuilding process!
Carol Murphy

Food Pantry Needs Paper Products

The outreach ministry team is appealing for paper products for the food pantry, including such items as paper towels, toilet paper, bath soap and laundry powder. Please help if you can.

Please Fill a Shoe Box for Operation Christmas Child

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me,…for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

"Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God's love."

The outreach committee is providing an opportunity for “Christmas in August” through giving for Operation Christmas Child. Bethany has participated for several years in Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, founded by Franklin Graham, son of Dr. Billy Graham.

The project collects shoe boxes filled with simple gifts and delivers them to children in need around the world. In 2006, Bethany collected 84 of the 7.6 million shoe boxes that were delivered to approximately 100 countries. The outreach committee set Bethany’s goal for this year at 80 shoe boxes, the same as for 2006.

Bethany always has given generously to outreach projects like Operation Christmas Child. Perhaps that is why Bethany is the recipient of generous gifts after the fire that destroyed the sanctuary building. But while Bethany lost a building, there are many in much worse need, including children, for whom these shoe boxes will provide a sign that we care about them. Please fill a shoe box this month.

The outreach committee wishes you Merry Christmas in August.

Youth Hold Raffle for $100 Lowe's Gift Card

Bethany youth are holding a raffle for a $100 Lowe’s gift card. Tickets for the drawing to be held Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Bethany 5th-Sunday potluck dinner, are $2.00 each, or three for $5.00.

Nickey Cannan sold almost $200 in tickets Sunday at Belangia’s supermarket.

We Want to Know Your Hopes and Dreams for Bethany's New Building

Dear Church Family,

As we begin our journey to rebuild it is important that we stay in contact with one another and with our Lord through prayer and sharing. Clear communication is a key to our successful rebuilding efforts. We want everyone to be heard so that the common good of God’s church is enhanced by all of us feeling a part of the exciting times upon which we now embark.

We need to hear from everyone: Tell us what you would like to see in Bethany’s new church building. We invite you to share your dreams and visions concerning our new building by writing your thoughts down and sending them to us as soon as possible.

Please bring your thoughts to the church office, where there is a box provided to deposit them, place them in the offering tray during worship at Camp Caroline, mail them, or e-mail them to minister@bethanyarapahoe.org.

“Now to Him by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” —Ephesians 3:20-21.

Chris Watson, Chairman
Official Board

Gary H. Edge
Minister

Camp Seafarer Sends Photo from Vespers Service

Immediately after the fire that destroyed the church sanctuary and fellowship hall, both Camp Seafarer and Camp Sea Gull reached out with tremendous help and support for our congregation. The entire congregation was invited to a vespers service at Camp Seafarer. The above photo taken at that vespers service was recently forwarded to the church.

Members of Bethany Christian Church will forever be grateful to this outpouring of love from the administrators, directors, counselors and especially the young campers from these camps.

Parker Watson - One Up on Lea Banks

A Nickey Cannan Photo

Lea banks said that when he was a youngster many decades ago, he would drink the left over grape Nehi used to make communion. Parker Watson has one up on Lea - help prepare communion and have the opportunity to drink all along - except Welch's grape juice is probably not as flavorful as Nehi grape.

Parker is also known for his spontaneously candid responses to Christine Beeman's questions during Children's Church.

Activities Committee Needs Sundae Sunday Volunteers

The activities committee is sponsoring "Sundae Sunday" August 26 beginning at 7:00 in the Bethany pavilion, and needs volunteers for ice cream, brownies and cake. Please contact Janci Cahoon at 249-0922.

New Gavel from an Old Bell Timber

Photos by Tommy Banks

During the church board meeting Sunday night, Garland Cahoon presented to Board Chairman Chris Watson (see top photo) a gavel that he turned from a salvaged 3-inch by 5-inch maple timber that supported Bethany's bell.

"It was the hardest piece of wood I ever turned," Cahoon said. "Maple is hard wood, and the fire hardened it more." The gavel (see bottom photo), which still has burned areas on it, will be used by Watson and future board chairs.

Arapahoe FWB Church to Hold Barbecue Fundraiser

Arapahoe Free Will Baptist Church is sponsoring a barbecue fundraiser to benefit Bethany's new building fund Saturday, August 11, at the Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Department. The barbecue begins at 11:00 a.m. Plates are $7.00.

The Free Will Baptist Church has asked the Bethany Church Family to supply 20 pound cakes for the barbecue. Please call Stephanie Edge at 249-6534 and let her know if you can provide a pound cake for the event.