Bethel Baptist Church of Sharpsburg: Site News

Bethel Annual Business Meeting On January 17, 2010

2010-01-03T00:00:00-05:00

The Annual Business Meeting of the Church will be held on January 17, 2010, at the close of the worship service. Please have all reports to Pastor Ted by January 10, 2010.

Church Addition Nearing Completion

2009-01-11T00:00:00-05:00

The addition to Bethel is nearing completion and we soon will have a baptismal as part of the sanctuary! Over the past few months a two story addition was built on the rear of the church. The ground level provides additional storage. The second level will house the baptistry, dressing rooms, and additional storage. As always, the generosity of the church members has allowed the project to proceed without any church indebtedness. We already have the first baptism scheduled and we look forward to many additional believers receiving baptism in this facility! Thanks go to the Trustees and all who helped on the project.

Storage and Baptistry Addition Moving Forward As Donations Are Received

2008-05-26T00:00:00-05:00

Thanks to the generous donations of Bethel members and memorials, a two story addition is being constructed on the rear of the church. The first level will be for storage and the second level will provide a space for the baptistry (at the rear and level of the current raised platform) and dressing rooms. There will also be some additional storage space on the second level for music and other church supplies.
At the present time we have the donations to proceed with the shell. As additional donations are received, we will complete the project. Bethel does not borrow but depends upon the faithful giving of its members and friends.

Bethel Celebrates Baptisms

2008-02-26T00:00:00-05:00

On February 24, Holly Black and Ali Knight were baptised during a service at Bethel. Holly and Ali are both freshmen at Taylorville High School and have been active in yourth events. Their proud parents and grandparents joined with the Bethel family in witnessing this joyous event.
Everyone is called to pray for these two outstanding young people as they grow in their faith!

Sherman- Williams Discount Cards Help Church Too

2008-02-19T00:00:00-05:00

     Bethel has received discount cards from the Taylorville Sherman-Williams store that can save the user money and benefit the church. The person using the card receives a discount on the purchase and a credit is given to the Bethel number on the card. Bethel receives a small rebate at the end of the year for the total amounts purchased using the Bethel number. It is a win-win situation for all involved.
     If you are considering some spring painting or fix up, consider whether Sherman-Williams can help you and Bethel.
     Pick up your Sherman-Williams card in the church entry area.

ABC-USA:Centered in Christ-A people of prayer, purpose, and passion!

2008-01-20T00:00:00-05:00

The heart of the gospel is God's redemptive love. In our life together, the world will see the power of forgiveness to overcome alienation, the strength of love to transform hate, the power of grace to break the bonds of guilt, the triumph of hope over despair, and the victory of faith over doubt.
Visit the ABC-USA link on the Links site to see all of the ministries of ABC-USA.

Bethel's Light To Remain Shining!

2008-01-20T00:00:00-05:00

Thanks to the generous donation of church members, a generator will be installed this week to keep the electricity on even if the power lines fail. The generator will run off of propane and will start itself in the event of a power interruption. This addition will ensure a reliable power source for all the important events at Bethel, from worship to fellowship to weddings to funerals. The light at Bethel will remain on and all people of faith are instructed to let their light shine as well!

Jan's Experience in El Salvador 2005

2006-02-16T00:00:00-05:00

Jan Hill reflects on her experiences in El Salvador.

El Salvador is no longer "just" someplace south of Mexico; El Salvador now has a big chunk of this girl's heart. On the flight down I was glued to the window, thinking all of the time how large the world is, how small is our own and how tiny each one of us is. To create even the small part of the world that I was watching fly by there was no doubt that God is good...all of the time. My thoughts were centered on what "I" could "do" for them; I didn't fully realize that the smiling brown faces that I would soon meet would touch my heart and give friendship a new and deeper meaning. I tell you now, I will never be the same; and how blessed I am for that. It was into an entirely different world that we stepped and that really came home when we met the warm balmy night of San Salvador. Old friends were there to meet us as well as were many small ones. Our group of ten, headed by John Saint, what seemed like thirteen tons of baggage, and a whole assortment of El Salvadorians were scooped up by Magda's bus and whisked off to begin our mission. There was chatter and laughter; there were no strangers. Little ones didn't need a translator to understand that our arms were loving and our laps soft. Their trust and contentment made it very clear to me that we/I care and worry about too much too often. God's love is simple and it is free. In my own mission to paint murals in their style, I assumed that I would create, draw and paint and that would be that; another job well done. Whoa!!! No one told me about all of my helpers...all volunteers. Mindy Stockdale asked to stay back with me...I felt comfortable and led to accept. Little did we know taht she would discover a talent and yearning that had lain dormant. Ernesto, Mi Picasso, became my shadow. This thirteen-year-old found excitement and a fullfillment in the newly discovered world of art. He would have painted all night had there been sufficient light and had I had the stamina to draw all night. If it didn't move, we painted it. Bright, wonderful colors and simple honest figures were our world. I learned that my mission was to show, to teach, and to empower my new friends to be creative and to trust that new found treasure. Their idea of perfection did not meet my expectations of my own, but whose work was this anyway? It was theirs and they can and will continue to use and languish in this new and wonderful gift of God. What a tremendous lesson and love gift for me. I did not lay blocks or spread cement; my mission was a different kind of building project and I believe, no, I know that I received so much more than I gave. You, the brothers and sisters of Bethel, made it possible; Thank you and thank God for you. -Jan Hill

Pictures from ElSalvador Mission Trip

2005-01-08T00:00:00-05:00

Now shown in the Photo Gallery are some photos from our 2004 trip

Dave Anker has finally posted several of his photos from the Novenber, 2004 ElSalvador mission trip. Look these over and contact Dave with and questions. He has other photos that he will share with others.

New Years Resolutions-Grow In Your Faith

2004-12-29T00:00:00-05:00

It is common at year end to look back at the past year and forward to the new one. Many of us will make Resolutions to lose weight or get in physical shape. Christians should be challenged to continue the spiritual process of being transformed in their faith. That means going to the next level in Christian growth and that requires making time for God. It is sad to think that many people will spend more time watching football between Christmas and the Super Bowl than they will praying, attending worship, reading the Bible, meditating, or serving others all year long! While on earth, we all have the same 1440 minutes a day and 8,760 hours a year; let us resolve to be good stewarts of that time. The Great Commandment (love God above all things and love our neighbor as ourselves) and the Great Commission (go into all the World and spread the good news) must be a guide for Christians. Bethel will provide many opportunites for worship and growth in the coming year. Please resolve to keep growing in your faith!!

ABC Resources Available On Line

2004-12-29T00:00:00-05:00

Would you like your own copy of the American Baptist Planning Calender? How about information on the history and mission of the ABC-USA? All of this and much more is available to you on the ABC-USA Website Resources link. Just go to the ABC site which is on the BBC Links page, then click on Resources. You can download many different resources. This is just part of the benefits of the association we have with ABC-USA that we need to be aware of and use.

Are You Ready To Camp?

2004-07-13T00:00:00-05:00

It is camping season and there are plenty of chances to enjoy Christian fun and fellowship in the outdoors. Many of the Bethel kids have already attended summer camp at one of the Baptist camps. You can find out about available camps by going to the Great Rivers Region web site (www.abc-grr.org) If you would just like to enjoy a get away with lots of recreational opportunities and various housing options, consider the Lake Williamson Christian Center in Carlinville. You will be pleasantly surprised at the many facilities and options available (www.lakewilliamson.com). Don't forget your Bible, sun tan lotion and bug spray!

Slomans Celebrate 50 Years of Marriage

2004-07-13T00:00:00-05:00

Ralph and Beth Sloman celebrated 50 years of marriage on Sunday, July 11. Family and friends joined them at a wonderful reception in St Vincent Hospital Auditorium. Great food, fellowship and fun was had by all. Bethel Church celebrates their dedication to each other and to Christ's church. You can check out the celebration on the photos link.

American Baptist Women Ministries Conference

2004-06-08T00:00:00-05:00

"Don't fall off life's merry-go-round. Keep your balance by reaching out to your community."

AB Women will be meeting at Lake Williamson conference center in Carlinville on July 11-13. This retreat will be a great time to revive and be inspired. For information call Joan at 618-254-5505.

American Baptist Men & Boys Conference

2004-06-08T00:00:00-05:00

The AB Men & Boys Conference will be July 7-11 at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. There will be food, fun and fellowship for all ages. A golf outing will be held on July 9 at 11. Register at the GRR website.

National Singles Fellowship Conference

2004-06-08T00:00:00-05:00

ABC-USA invites all single adults to attend the National Singles Conference to be held on Labor Day weekend, September 3-6, 2004, at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Conference and Retreat Center near Marshall, Indiana. For more information and/or to receive a brochure, call Duane at 812-523-8374.

2004 Great Rivers Region Annual Meeting Set

2004-06-08T00:00:00-05:00

Theme: Masterpiece

Plan now to attend the GRR Annual Meeting in Bloomington on October 8-10. The meeting will be held at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center. Friday night features special music and a christian humorist. Saturday includes workshops on various topics. To register on-line go to www.abc-grr.org

Youth Camp Out

2004-05-21T00:00:00-05:00

We will have an all nighter for Youth here at Bethel

Beginning at 5:00pm Friday we will pitch a tent, start a campfire and eat BBQ.

We will have some fun night time games so come prepared to get muddy.

Saturday Morning will begin with an egg breakfast followed by a bible study.

Camp will end at 10:00am Saturday Morning.

Sermon Series On "Prayer"

2004-05-02T00:00:00-05:00

Pastor Rinde Begins Series On How Prayer Makes A Differance

�� Pastor Rinde will preach messages on the kind of prayer that gets results.� God is eagerly waiting for His people to offer prayers the allow Him to pour out His blessings.� Please plan to come and hear these timely�messages.� �

Phone Tree Updates

2004-04-10T00:00:00-05:00

From time to time it is necessary that all the Bethel family be contacted quickly about an event.� One example is a weather condition that impacts on a church service.� To accomplish that we have developed an "Emergency Phone Tree".� It has recently been updated and will be posted on the church bulletin boards and here on the website when completed.� For the Phone Tree to work it is important that each person call the person(s) downline from them.� If that person cannot be reached, please call the person(s)below them.� Please make sure you are on the tree and understand who is on your list!