Bethlehem Baptist Church
Family Discipleship Department
July 2010 News & Calendar
Vol. 5 No. 7
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Fighter Verses:
Start memorizing the verse on this date:

July 4: Matthew 6:9-13 FREEZE
July 11: Matthew 6:14-15
July 18: Matthew 6:16
July 25: Matthew 6:17-18

Fighter Verses Online

Stop in at the website below to find the Bethlehem Fighter Verses online to help you memorize.
http://fighterverses.com

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FEATURE ARTICLE BY Brenda Fischer, Coordinator for Disability Ministry

The Gift of a Suffering Believer’s Wisdom

I’m sitting here with a big stack of books in front of me overwhelmed with gratefulness to God for his work in the lives of those who have written these books or have lived the stories in these books. Most have been through deep waters of suffering and come out on the other side with an understanding and wisdom richer and more valuable than much gold. James uses the phrase “the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13b). The word meekness means humbly patient and long-suffering. I would use these words to describe the life stories in this collection of books making up the New Disability Section of our Bethlehem libraries.

Here are a few examples:

*The precious book Bright Valley of Love by Edna Hong shares the story of Gunther, an abused and disabled boy living in Nazi Germany. Society scorned the disabled and yet meek and compassionate followers of Christ saw through his broken body and nurtured Gunther’s soul. This is a book you will never forget.

*Joni Eareckson Tada wrote the book, A Lifetime of Wisdom: Embracing the Way God Heals You. To read this book is to drink of the richness of the wisdom God freely gives to those who seek him in their suffering. It is a tear jerking, faith-filled testimony.

*Finding Your Child’s Way on the Autism Spectrum by Dr. Laura Hendrickson is more than information, it is an encouragement to families who face the diagnosis of autism and a real help in seeing God’s hand in the process.

*Same Lake Different Boat-Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability by Stephanie O. Hubach is one of the best books I have read about ministering to people with disabilities. Stephanie shares her faith and her life experience as a mom with a child with Down syndrome. The Disability Ministry volunteers were given this book last year and the feedback was very positive.

*Our own Krista Horning’s book Just the Way I Am uses delightful pictures of some of the Bethlehem children with disabilities, scripture and simple truth-filled statements to highlight the certainty that God is our great designer. Her story at the end of the book is a testimony of God’s good work in using hard things to bring growth in wisdom and directing us to Jesus. What an amazing way to share God’s sovereign goodness with children (and adults).

*List and brief review of all the books in the Disability Section of the Bethlehem Libraries.

The Bible says that the parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable (1Cor 12:22). One small piece of this indispensability is the wisdom we are able to glean and learn from those whose lives has been hard and yet they have trusted Jesus and been richly blessed with insight. To read these books and share in the growth of another’s testimony is a great gift. Your faith will be strengthened by those who have walked through some very difficult times.

In addition to faith-inspiring books, the new Disability section of the library includes books on teaching people with disabilities, care-giving, encouragement for parents and befriending those with disabilities. May we as a church reach out to those who are weaker and ask God for the blessing of the meekness of wisdom.

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Help A Family This Summer ~ Disability Ministry
Downtown, room 219 will be open on Sunday mornings for families with a child with disabilities to use when it is difficult to stay in the service. This room will have closed circuit viewing of both the 9:00 and 11:00 services. The Disability Ministry will not be coordinating one-on-one aides for this room, but if you would like to help a family every week or just occasionally by watching their child in room 219 while the parents are in church please contact Brenda Fischer 612-746-2675 specialneeds@hopeingod.org. Brenda will add your name to a list of summer-caregivers families can contact. If you are not a cleared Family Discipleship worker and would like to help out, please fill out the FDD application.

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Do you have a heart to minister to the children at Bethlehem in the nurseries, Sunday School, or Wednesday night Connection? Visit the link below to begin the application process: http://www.hopeingod.org/ministries/family/get-involved

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Register Your Child for Sunday School or Wednesday Connection

Please watch your mail for our yearly Family Registration form. Return the form as soon as you can so we can plan on your child in class and update your information.

If You Do Not Plan To Attend Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Fall…
…please let us know so we can update your information. Contact Suzy Plocher 612-455-3482 or downtownchildren@hopeinGod.org

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Family Discipleship Volunteer Fall Training
Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 8:45am - 1:00pm, Downtown

If you are planning to volunteer in Wednesday Connection or Sunday School classes (for Preschool–Grade 8) or with our Adventure Girls ministry during the 2010–2011 school year, please attend this important training.

The event will include teaching on Bethlehem’s vision for ministry to children and youth, as well as specific instruction related to the volunteer role you will fulfill: Team Leader, Small Group Leader, Teacher, Worship Leader, Disability Aide, Adventure Girls volunteer, or general classroom helper.
Come early for breakfast snacks. Lunch will be provided as well.
For more information contact Thomas Rydland (612-455-3497) or Betty Dodge at family@hopeingod.org.

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Jr High JAMs
Theme: Suns of Righteousness: Shining Examples of Faith to Follow

What: “JAM” stands for “Jesus and Me” summer gatherings designed to nurture faith in Christ. JAMs provide environments for Christ-exalting fellowship and possibly sharing the gospel in our neighborhoods. There will be worship through the Word, biography, and singing, as well as sports, swimming, team building games, and etc. depending on what each location allows. Go to www.hopeingod.org/event/jr-high-jam for permission slip download. See the summer magazine for location addresses and contact information.
When: 10AM to 3PM: See “Transportation” items below for departure and arrival times for vans.
Who: for students entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grades

Dates & North locations
July 1: Greg & Janet Sweet (lake) Combined with Downtown/South Locations:
July 15: Bob & Amy Tranquillo (pool)
July 29: Steve & Beth Prater (pool)
Aug 12: John & Jennie Kim (pool/lake for canoeing)

North Transportation
*Please plan on arranging your own transportation. However, transportation help is available. We will have a van depart from the North campus at 9:30am and return by 4pm. Space is limited. To reserve a spot. contact Mark Schaap at 612-338-7655 ext 732 (or fddinternnorth@hopeingod.org)

Dates & Downtown/South locations
July 1: Greg & Janet Sweet (lake) Combined with North Locations:
July 15: Jonathan & Julie Anderson (pool & lake)
July 29: Chris & Barb Johnson (lake)
Aug 12: Perry & Michelle Ryan (lake/boating)

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“SNS ‘10” (Senior High Sup N’ Stuffs)
These are weekly gatherings for senior high students on Tuesdays from 4:30-9:00 PM in homes to connect, enjoy a meal, and worship Jesus Christ through song, gospel proclamation, and life-impacting fellowship. This is a great setting to bring friends who are not yet trusting in Jesus as their Savior!
Upcoming July Dates:
July 6
July 13
July 20
July 27

For more information, including locations, please contact Megan Schaap: srhigh@hopeinGod.org.

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Bethlehem "Pure Heart" Conference
with Amy Vest
September 10-11
Downtown Campus

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th 7:00pm Session One – The Heartbeat of Purity
8:15pm Session Two – Purity in Real Life

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th
8:00-8:30am Bagel and Juice Breakfast
8:30am Session Three - Relationships, Your Future, and the Will of God
10:15am Session Four - A Call to Transforming Purity
12:00pm Dismiss

Registration continues for Bethlehem young women and their mothers/guardians/mentors
only until July 7th: http://tinyurl.com/pureheart10.
Early Bird Price $20.00/young woman $15.00/mother/guardian/mentor
Or you can download a registration brochure here:
http://www.hopeingod.org/event/young-womens-purity-conference-0

Registration Opens for Everyone after July 7th
Early Bird pricing continues for everyone until August 7th.

Regular Price $25.00/young woman $20.00/mother/guardian/mentor begins on August 8th.
Registration closes on September 4th.

Conference workbook and materials, snacks, bagel & juice breakfast are included with your registration fee.
Please contact Betty Dodge with any questions: 612-455-3490 or family@hopeinGod.org

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Our recently updated Youth Baptism Information Brochure is now available on our website at:
http://www.hopeingod.org/document/youth-baptism-information-brochure.

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Union Gospel Mission (UGM) Outreach
Next Meeting: July 18
• Who: Parents, young adults, and youth
• What: Outreach of sharing food, friendly conversation, and the gospel to clients at UGM
• When & Where: Every third Sunday at 3:30 PM (Downtown Campus) to prepare food, leaving for UGM via Bethlehem transportation at 4:15 PM
• Note: Must wear closed-toed shoes and socks to help prepare food.

For more information: contact Megan at 612-455-3484 or srhigh@hopeinGod.org

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READ ON . . . Featured parenting resource recommended by Sally Michael:

Check out the following website for a review of an excellent parenting book:
http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/gospel-powered-parenting

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SAVE THE DATE:
Awaken '10

SAVE THE DATE! Awaken '10 is October 15-17, 2010. Last year was fun, rewarding, and spiritually significant for participants, parents who hosted or helped, and small group mentors. We're looking to build on last year's successes this year. May God continue to pour out his Spirit upon this ministry of "gospelizing" one another and our neighbors through teaching, fellowship, mentoring, and evangelism.

Registration will open this summer. Look for more information soon!

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FYI: The Family Discipleship Department thinks you may want to know about family-related events
but does not necessarily endorse them or their content.

Summer Activity Opportunity!
Camping at Lebanon Hills Campground near the Dakota County Fair
Friday-Sunday, August 13-15, 2010

David & Diane Nochella, members at Bethlehem, would like to invite anyone who is interested to join them camping at the Lebanon Hills Campground nearby the Dakota County Fair in August.
Info for the fair: http://www.dakotacountyfair.org/ Info for the campground: http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/LeisureRecreation/CountyParks/Locations/LebanonHills/Campground.htm
If you are interested, please contact Tara Schmidt at fddevents@hopeinGod.org

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UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY
1 Thu- First Jr High JAM- Offsite
6 Tue- Sr High Sup N’ Stuff- Offsite
13 Tue- Sr High Sup N’ Stuff- Offsite
15 Thu- Jr High JAM- Offsite
16-23 Fri-Fri- Cass Lake Missions Trip
18 Sun- Union Gospel Mission Outreach- Offsite
20 Tue- Sr High Sup N’ Stuff- Offsite
27 Tue- Sr High Sup N’ Stuff- Offsite
29 Thu- Jr High JAM- Offsite

AUGUST
3 Tue- Sr High Sup N’ Stuff- Offsite
10 Tue- Last Sr High Sup N’ Stuff- Offsite
12 Thu- Last Jr High JAM- Offsite
15 Sun- Union Gospel Mission Outreach- Offsite
17 Tue- Senior High & Family Twins Game- Offsite
28 Sat- FDD Fall Volunteer Training- Downtown

SEPTEMBER
10-11 Fri-Sat- Purity Conference- Downtown
12 Sun- Tentative Sunday School Start Date (if fully staffed)- All Campuses
15 Wed- Tentative Kid’s Connection Start Date (if fully staffed)- North & Downtown
18 Sat- Foundation Builders 1- Downtown
18 Sat- Transition Years Event- MN Arboretum
19 Sun- Union Gospel Mission Outreach- Offsite
25 Sat- Make-up Training for Child/Youth

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Family Discipleship Department Staff CONTACT 612-338-7653

Ministry Staff- Pastors, Ministers, & Interns
Bud Burk- Pastor for Child & Youth Discipleship, DT/South
Joyce Heinrich- Minister for Early Childhood
Gil McConnell- Pastor for Child & Youth Discipleship, North
David Michael- Pastor for Parenting & Family Discipleship
Sally Michael- Minister for Resources and Program Development
Jon Nowlin- Pastoral Resident for Young Adult (Senior High) Discipleship
Mark Schaap- Intern for Family Discipleship, North
Kempton Turner- Pastor for Young Adult (Senior High) Discipleship, DT/South
Grant Winnes- Intern for Young Adult (Senior High) Discipleship, DT/South

Ministry Staff-Coordinators
Betty Dodge- Coordinator for Family Life
Brenda Fischer- Coordinator for Disability Ministry
Connie Oman- Coordinator for Training & Classroom Support
Thomas Rydland- Coordinator for Young Adult (SH) Discipleship, South and FDD Administrator
Carmen Tomaszewski- Coordinator for Early Childhood, North
Bonnie Williams- Lead Childcare Coordinator, South

Ministry Support Staff
Kevin Dau- Ministry Assistant for Family Discipleship
Madeleine Miller- Ministry Assistant for Family Discipleship
Lori Myers- Ministry Assistant for Family Discipleship, North
Suzy Plocher- Ministry Assistant for Family Discipleship
Megan Schaap- Ministry Assistant for Young Adult (Senior High) Discipleship
Tara Schmidt- Ministry Assistant for Family Discipleship

Childcare Coordinators
Sarah Vogel- Sunday Worship South
Bonnie Williams - Sunday Worship South, Lead CCC
Kari Raia- Sunday Worship Downtown
Yvette Hatch- Saturday Worship Downtown
Cristina Hermann - Sunday Evening Worship Downtown
Lisa Burk - MOMS, Wednesday Connection Downtown
Kim Crouch- Special Events
Andrea Tjarks –Sunday Worship Downtown
Julie Harms - Bible Studies DT
Claire Olson- Saturday Worship North
Maggie Sporleder- MOMS & Bibles Studies North
Jessica Pluim- Sunday Worship North
Carmen Tomaszewski, Sunday Worship North, Coordinator for Early Childhood, North Campus
Karleen Witt- Wednesday Connection North