Bethesda United Methodist Church

Advent Potluck Luncheon

ATTENTION BETHESDA FAMILY AND FRIENDS: On Sunday December 9 th

we will celebrate the Advent and Christmas Season with one service at 10am to be

held in the Sanctuary followed by an Advent Potluck Luncheon. If you have not

participated in the past please join together (adults and children) and bring your

favorite dish (i.e. main dish, salad, dessert) to share with all present. This

celebration is sponsored by the United Methodist Women of the Church as we

reorganize for the year ahead. No reservations necessary….. JUST COME!!!

Questions? Mary Nelson UMW Pres. 609-617-7707 or Kathy at the Church Office

467-0127

Pastor & Staff Christmas Gift

Pastor’s Gift : As we approach the Advent and Christmas Seasons it seems an appropriate time to celebrate Pastor Dan's dedication to the vision for our church by presenting him with a monetary gift.

In that spirit the Staff Parish Relations Committee would like to encourage those who wish to contribute may do so for the next three Sundays - 12/2, 12/9, 12/16. Cash, Personal Check (made out to Bethesda UMC - pastor's gift on memo line), or a Gift Card may be placed in an envelope and put in the collection plate, or dropped off at the Church Office.

Should you wish to include other staff members as well a similar procedure may be followed. A personal "thanks" is also encouraged for their contributions throughout the year.

SPRC wishes everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year.

Lois Whiting-SPR Chair

Youth Group & City Team

The Youth Group is volunteering with City Team Ministries in Chester, Pa. on December 22nd. They go and pick up the toys and food and deliver them to families in need, often getting to talk and pray with them. The Youth Group is opening the trip up to the congregation if any one would like to volunteer. You would need to provide your own transportation but could meet up in the parking lot of the church and the car pool will leave by 8:30 am.

If you are interested in going please sign up prior to going

http://cityteam.org/

Donations and serving

Feeding of the Homeless in Camden

The Sandwich Ministry is 12/15 & 12/16. Winter Soup Ministry begins Sunday Nights 1/6/19.Also, we are beginning to collect the following items for our Winter Soup Ministry:New: Men's Winter Hats, Gloves & SocksGently Used: Hoodies, Blankets and Men's Winter CoatsAny further questions, you can reach Dan Stephens at SpiritDan@live.com or 856-956-9736. Thank you friends!

For more information and to sign up, please email SpiritDan@live.com or text Dan at 856-956-9736.

Pointsettias

Poinsettias: If you’d like to purchase poinsettias to help decorate our sanctuary,

please fill out one of the order forms and drop it into the offering plate. The

deadline is today. Call Sue Bishop (856-467-8778 or Kim Bock (856-261-7496)

with any questions.

Supporting Church Ministries

Bethesda Church ministries and operations are solely dependent on the faithful financial investment of people like you. If you want to join the Bethesda Team by making a donation please do so by sending a check or money order to

Bethesda UMC

1435 Kings Highway

Swedesboro, Nj 08085

Operation Christmas Child

The Operation Christmas Child packing party will be November 11 th during the

Sunday School time.

Operation Christmas Child: Please place the monthly requested donation items in the Operation Christmas Child cubbies.

November - Hairbands, barrettes, combs

You may also make a monetary donation that will be used to pay for the shipping

costs in December. Please mark your check Operation Christmas Child in the

memo line.

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Many thanks to all who helped contribute to our Samaritan's Purse Operation

Christmas Child Mission. You may have donated financially, donated items

monthly as they were posted in the bulletin or helped pack the shoeboxes. A total

of 90 shoeboxes was packed.

Each box was packed with a bar of soap and

washcloth, a pair of socks, and a pack of tissues as well as other goodies to

delight children of all ages. Postage for each box was $9.00. Mission offerings

covered all expenses.

Hospice Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers to visit patients in your community. Although visiting hospice patients isn't for everyone, for those who choose to give back in this way, it is a very rewarding experience for both volunteer and patient. Wouldn't we all want someone there for us when we needed the support. Angelic Health Hospice looking for volunteers For as little as an hour or two a month you can make a difference to a hospice patient in your community. Angelic Health Palliative & Hospice Care is asking you to share your time and compassion to those on their final journey. Your visits can mean so very much to hospice patients and their loved ones. Your volunteer service will fit your schedule and interests, and visit assignments are your choice. Volunteer activities can include: • Reading, playing music, card games, or crafts activities. • Listening to and documenting their memories for a life or memory journal. • Staying with patients to give family members a break to run errands, or take care of their own needs. • Certified Pet Visitors for pet lovers. • Keeping vigil with patients in their final hours. • Bereavement and grief support of family. • Military Veterans Visiting Veterans For your convenience volunteer training is provided online. Volunteer visitors must be 18 years of age. For more information visit our website at www.Angelic.health, email MBarham@AngelicHospice.net, or call 609-515-3041. Angelic Health Palliative & Hospice Care serve all South Jersey counties, providing clinical, social, spiritual, emotional and physical care to those with a life-altering or terminal diagnosis. Patients are cared for wherever they call home—private residence, nursing care facility, assisted living, or other facility. Margie Barham, MBA Director, Public Relations, Volunteers & Giving Angelic Health MBarham@AngelicHospice.net Cell: 609-515-3041 Office: 609-822-7979 Fax: 609-822-7980 802 Tilton Rd,. Ste 100, Northfield, NJ 08225 1050 Manuta Pike, First Floor, Wenonah, NJ 08090 www.Angelic.health “We’re by your side”

Mission of the Month

Our Mission Focus for December is on King’s Things and helping the needy in

our own community at Christmas. Food items and gifts are being collected from

several groups and churches in our community. King’s Things hopes to help over

200 families.

A Giving Tree has been placed in our vestibule with mitten tags representing

someone in need of a gift. Select a tag, buy a gift and return the wrapped gift to the

church by December 10 th . You may take the gift directly to St. Clare’s of Assisi on

140 Broad Street by December 13 th .

The following food items are needed: (no glass please) Instant potatoes, Stuffing

mix, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy packets, Macaroni & Cheese, Peanut Butter, Jelly,

Applesauce, Cake mix, Yams, Fruit, Canned Peas, Corn or Green beans, Baked

Beans, Pasta Sauce, Pasta, Pancake mix, Pancake Syrup and Cereal. Items may

be brought to the church or dropped off at King’s Things Thrift Store at 1402

King’s Highway by December 11 th . Monetary donations are also accepted. Make

check out to King’s Things with Attention Treasurer on the memo line.

If you would like to volunteer to help their schedule is as follows:

Dec. 11 – 7:00pm – sorting of food

Dec. 13 – 7:00pm – packing of food

Dec. 14 – 7:00pm – sorting of gifts

Dec. 16 – Delivery of food and gifts

All work will be done at St. Clare’s of Assisi.

Remember Christmas is not about getting, but about receiving. Christmas is a

celebration of the gift God gave to us – His Son Jesus Christ, who gave his life for

the forgiveness of our sins because of their great love for us.