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| Special Projects |
Christmas Nativity Scene - 2000 |
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Our Christmas Nativity Scene has grown from the one displayed in 2000. The nativity scene was so well received that we were able to acguire the Three Wise Men and a number of additional sheep. It is shown below. |
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Christmas Nativity Scene - 2001 |
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There are many ways to spread the word of God. It was our hope when we purchased the outdoor nativity set that this visual display would help bring home the message of Christ’s birth to the community and in someway play a part in bringing the message of peace, love and salvation to someone’s heart. An additional hope was to utilize our nativity set to encourage new families to join our church. We do know that one couple with a small child stopped at Bethany that first year right after the set was put on display and they eventually did become members. Hopefully this visual ministry has worked in other ways, which we are not even aware of.This year we were delighted to see two separate families with small children stop to see the set within an hour after is was set up. One mother even brought her little boy inside our church to see the other decorations. What a wonderful way to bring a child’s interest to Jesus. To encourage passers by to linger for awhile, we also installed outdoor speakers and a special sound system which plays Christmas music as well as a recitation of the birth of Christ by our Pastor, as taken from the book of Luke. So in addition to a visual ministry, we are utilizing a vocal/musical ministry as well. We were blessed this year with the funds to purchase not only the three wise men, but a donkey as well. Now that the set has grown and spread out a little more over the church lawn, a few additional sheep seem to be needed. So our goal for next year is to purchase the angel and a few more sheep. The enthusiasm of those involved in erecting this set, seems to indicate that this ministry will continue to "grow" as long as the manufacturer keeps adding new pieces. Our committee responsible for decorating the church has already written the manufacturer and requested they add another shepherd to help tend all of the sheep we will have! |
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| Christian Fellowship |
Fellowship Projects |
Many of our members who assembled the Christmas display in 2000 helped again this year. |
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| Christmas Poinsettia Tree |
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Last year, 2000, was the first year for our Christmas poinsettia tree. We will continue the tradition by setting it up again this year. |
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| Easter Lily Tree |
This year, at Easter time, we had so many lilies that we decided to put them on the stand used for the poinsettia tree. It made a wonderful addition to the chancel area. See accompanying photo. |
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| Quilting Group |
Some of the women in our church participate in the Tuesday morning Quilting Group. Using donated materials they assemble warm quilts for Lutheran World Relief and other needy agencies. Many lap robes are also made for patients in local nursing homes. Accompanying photos show finished examples of a lap robe and a quilt plus quilts in the process of being put together. |
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| Christmas mission of the Bethany Women's Guild |
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The Christmas mission of the Bethany Women's Guild was the Lutheran's Services sponsored P.E.P.P.I. Head Start Program of Belle Grade, Florida. Located in South Florida, this is a program for 3 to 5 year old disadvantaged children.The Women's Guild sponsored an "Undie Sunday" in November and collected 551 pieces of underwear and socks. During December, 171 wrapped toys were collected to distributed to each child in the program. Pictured here, before taking the gifts to south Florida are Mrs. Evelyn Schultz, church secretary and Mrs. Ann Sumpter, Vice President Women's Guild. (Charlotte Wentland, President of the Women's Guild, is shown in the insert. She was unavailable at the time the picture was taken.) |
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Christmas 2002 Nativity Scene |
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The Christmas Nativity Scene was enhanced in 2002 with the addition of an angel and more sheep. It was also spread out to give a greater area for the nativity scene and is shown in a wide angle view. There were three groupings: the angel with the sheep; the manger with cattle, sheep Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus; the three Wise Men. The individual groupings are inlaid in the picture. |
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| Children's Christmas Program 2002 |
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This past Christmas season Bethany’s Sunday school children presented a play as part of the Christmas program. It depicted how a modern day reporter may have broadcast a live on-the-scene broadcast of the birth of Christ. It was written and directed by Dr. Paul Rosene, Handbell Choir Director. The picture at the right shows the characters in the play and teachers responsible for the play. The are from left to right: Teacher (Holly Genzen), Mary (Paige Meldrum), angel (Ashley Dunn), reporter (David Flores), cameraman (Richard Field), Joseph (John Field), and Teacher (Sherri Field). |
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