Bethlehem News:

YOUR FAVORITE HYMN IS . . . ???

While the choir is on summer break, we will be singing your favorite hymns.
List your requests on the back of the attendance and prayer card, or call the church office.
The Choir will be back in September.

OPPORTUNITIES for SPIRITUAL GROWTH

ADULT BIBLE STUDY: currently studying “Jamie Buckingham’s Ten Parables of Jesus” … join the group on Sunday mornings.
DARING DISCIPLESHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL WITH PASTOR MICHELLE meets at 9 a.m. in the church conference room.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL: Barb Coppock, leader
HOME BIBLE STUDY: Spring sessions have been completed.
HOME BIBLE STUDIES will be offered again in September.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT’S HAPPENING @ BLC
During the Month of July

WORSHIP @ 10:30 a.m.
COMMUNION CELEBRATED EVERY SUNDAY.
SPECIAL OFFERINGS RECEIVED ON THE ...
2ND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH FOR THE NEEDY.
4TH SUNDAY OF THE MONTH FOR THE UTILITIES.

The Razor’s Edge Barbershop group meets on Monday evenings @ BLC

SUNDAY, July 4:
Scripture: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" … Psalm 33:12
Celebration of the 4th of July at the 10:30 a.m. service featuring patriotic music.

MONDAY, July 5:
Church Office closed for the holiday.

SUNDAY, July 11:
Scripture: “Who Is My Neighbor?” Luke 10:29. The Story of the Good Samaritan
All American Luncheon at the BLC Café following worship

MONDAY, July 12:
BLC YOUTH EVENT. The Daring Disciples are preparing and serving lunch to the people at Hope House.
Invite friends and family, and come ready to serve! It’s a great opportunity to share God’s love!
Meet at 10:30 a.m. at Hope House and begin preparing the meal. Meal served 12:30 – 1:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, July 13:
7 p.m. Church Council Meeting

SATURDAY, July 17:
Family fun Night @ BLC (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
Join us as we host another Family Fun Night for our neighbors on July 17th!
We’ll have a meal, some games, and a movie! Bring friends, invite neighbors, and if you see
people in our BLC neighborhood, make sure they know about it.!

SUNDAY, July 18:
Scripture: “Mary sat at the Lords’ feet and listened.” – Luke 10:39

SUNDAY, July 25:
Scripture: “KNOCK … and the door will be opened for you.” – Luke 11:9

Introduction of a family fun night here @ BLC. – July 17th (5-8:00 p.m.)
This is a family-oriented night open to everyone in Middletown… but perhaps especially to the families
in our immediate neighborhood, many of whom cannot afford to take their families on special outings.
It’s just a way to tell the neighborhood that we, as God’s people, care about them… and we’re a safe place to be.
Would you like to help? Contact Barb Coppock! Even if you can’t help, join us the July family fun night on
Saturday, July 17th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. as we welcome people to God’s house for some relaxation and fun…
and in doing so share God’s love with them!

FUND THE FLOOR CAMPAIGN 2010.
The Congregation voted on replacing the floor in fellowship hall on March 21, at a special congregational meeting.
“Special” envelopes are included in the weekly bulletins for your support of this project, or use your regular offering
envelope and mark “floor campaign.”

Please consider funding one (or more) of the following options:

1 square = $150 = 26 sq. feet
2 squares = $300 = 52 sq. feet
3 squares = $450 = 78 sq. feet
4 squares = $600 = 104 sq. feet

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FUNDRAISING PROJECTS @ BLC

BERN’S GIFT CARDS. CARDS AVAILABLE FROM NAN PEMBER.
NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO GO TO BERNS
Berns Garden Center gift cards ($20.00 each) are available for you to purchase.
Contact Nan Pember to purchase a card. The cards have no expiration date.
One Restriction: the cards cannot be used to purchase landscaping items.
The church receives $4.00 for each card purchased.

MONTHLY FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEONS @ the BLC Cafe

LUNCH PROVIDED THE FIRST SUNDAY OF
MOST MONTHS FOR 2010.

JOIN US for good fellowship among friends and fellow church members.
Invite a friend, or relative, for lunch @ BLC. Cost of lunch is by freewill donation.
Come to the BLC Café for lunch

Fellowship Luncheon Schedule for 2010. Lunch served in fellowship hall following worship
on the first Sunday of each month, except April (Easter Breakfast); August (annual church picnic);
and October (annual sauerkraut supper.)

Mark your calendars for the following dates: July 11, August 8
(annual picnic and outdoor worship service); September 5; October 31:
Sauerkraut Supper; November 7 and December 5.

Members of BLCW prepared and served the fellowship luncheon on June 6.
BLCW will be in charge of the luncheon again on September 5 as one of their fund-raising projects.

JOIN US for good fellowship among friends and fellow church members.
Invite a friend, or relative, for lunch @ BLC.

The Fellowship and Welcoming Committee

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOME BIBLE STUDY 2010:
Spring sessions are completed. Join the group in September for the next study session.
As you plan your calendar of activities for 2010, please consider taking time to nurture your relationship with God.
Join in fellowship with others in our Home Bible Study 2010 series. Anyone new to or experienced in Bible Study
could find this a helpful learning experience. Invite a friend, neighbor or family member to join us. Let’s learn together!!

This year we will be utilizing a DVD “Seeing Through the Scriptures”. We will not purchase work books for this series.
The material will be available in the early part of the year for a six-week session and pick up again in the fall for the final
six-week sessions. You do not have to attend the Spring offering to join in the Fall groups.
Join us for Home Bible Study 2010!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SIMPLY GIVING “electronic” PROGRAM AVAILABLE @ BLC.
Sign up today!!! Every month, we all have our bills to pay – Mortgage? Check! Utilities? Check! Visa? Check!
Bethlehem?.... Bethlehem??? Yes! Check!

Now, you can be assured that your weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly donation to BLC is taken care of,
whether you’re able to attend church or not. Simply Giving is our electronic giving program that allows your
church to automatically deduct a certain amount (determined by you) on a specific date (determined by you).
It is totally secure. You simply give your bank information (voided check) to Linda and she is the ONLY one
who knows that information. If you have questions about the procedure, do call her at 423-1191. Please consider
this option. It is a dependable, consistent method of giving and will go far in helping us meet our monthly
financial goals.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE BOOK NOOK @ BLC …. has some very interesting biographies, novels, and inspirational selections
available for your reading pleasure this summer. Pick up a couple of book on Sunday or during the week when the
office is open.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

July Worship Schedule @ BLC

Worship @ 10:30 a.m
9 a.m. Daring Discipleship Sunday School class. Teacher: Pastor Michelle
Adult Bible Study @ BLC on Sunday mornings. currently studying … “Jamie Buckingham’s Ten Parables of Jesus.
Communion offered every Sunday.
Special offering received on the second Sunday of the each month for the needy.
Special offering received on the last Sunday of each month for Utilities.
LIGHT MINISTRIES WORSHIP SERVICE @ 12:30 P.M. Pastor Samuel J. Kelly

SERVING @ BLC FOR July 2010

President: Ildiko Sherman
Vice President: Karen Mehl
Worship Leader & Communion Assistant: Keith Sommers
Counter for July: Keith Sommers
Lay Reader for July: Jean Jordan
Sound Technicians: Dick Mehl / Richard Hatfield

Acolytes Communion Helpers Nursery Attendants
July 4 Clayton Garner Ingrid Coppock Kristen Coppock & Diana Garner
July 11 Ingrid Coppock Tyler Johns Megan & Vicki Sawtelle
July 18 Jeremy Fox Andrew Dykes Valerie Sawtelle & Lisa McKenzie
July 25 Hannah Schultz Valerie Sawtelle Kristen Coppock & Vicki Sawtelle

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR – July 2010

July 5: Presented by: David & Mary Haney
In Memory of: Mr. & Mrs. Tom Haney
July 11: Presented by: Jane Follmer
In Memory of: David Follmer and TO THE GLORY OF GOD
July 18: Presented by: Max and Mildred Sommers
In Memory of Our Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Shane
and Mr. & Mrs. Charles Sommers
and in Honor of Keith Sommers’ Birthday (July 22)
July 25: Presented by: Jean Jordan
In memory of the Birthday of Clara Jordan (July 27)

We thank all those who contribute flowers for the altar. The church has a few openings for later in the year.
If you would like to place flowers on the altar, please contact Nan Pember.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JULY BIRTHDAYS

July 3 Ron Dykes
July 6 Clayton Garner
July 9 Jody Gilkison
July 9 John Morris
July 9 Karissa Morris
July 16 Elizabeth Hatfield
July 18 Alex Hoskins
July 18 Todd Morris
July 19 Jerry Blattner
July 20 Beatrice Truman
July 22 Keith Sommers
July 22 Betty Westercamp
July 23 Erik Hatfield
July 25 Luther Harmon
July 28 Kitty Blattner
July 29 Kathy Adams
July 29 Kim Leiter
July 29 Carolyn Leiter
July 31 Mildred Sommers
July 31 Pastor John Place

Offer a prayer for those celebrating birthdays in July

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The church grows when you invite a friend to worship with you!

Our Mission... Is to serve the living God through Jesus Christ, His Son, through worship,
fellowship and harmony, to enable us to grow as a congregation and serve others.

Our Vision… Is to be a Purpose Driven Church (PDC) and become a magnet to draw others
into a dynamic relationship with Jesus.

Our Purpose …
· To lead people to Christ and membership at Bethlehem
· To grow people to spiritual maturity
· To equip people with the skills they need for ministry
· To enlist people to the worldwide mission of sharing Christ
· To empower people to live a life of magnification to the glory of God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LIKE TO SING? CONSIDER JOINING THE CHOIR @ BETHLEHEM
The Bethlehem Celebration choir directed by Jean Jordan, practices every Sunday at 11:50 a.m.
They provide the special music for our worship services.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE CUPBOARDS ARE BARE!!! CAN YOU HELP?
Suggested food items: canned fruit, canned vegetables
Suggested personal care items: bar soap, dish soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes, shampoo, paper towels, etc.
Place all donations in shopping cart in the Narthex. Reminder: Save your plastic grocery bags and put in the
shopping cart in the Narthex.

All items will be donated to the Middletown Choice Pantry located at Family Services of Middletown, Central Ave.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEED TO HELP OUT AT THE PANTRY. CONTACT JANE FOLLMER FOR DETAILS.
COLLECT AND SAVE your aluminum cans for Youth projects. Bring your cans to the church and we will take them
to the recycle location to redeem for cash!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Peoples for People - 2010”
WE would like to announce our campaign for 2010 for members to save their pennies again as they did in 2009.
WE donated via ELCA God’s Global Barnyard (included in the annual statement) and would like to try to keep the
saving of our pennies for this good cause going. This is a worthy cause that children can do God’s work to help others.
The support of the congregation is greatly appreciated.

Please put your “pennies” in plastic bags or empty plastic tubs. WE welcome your donations throughout the year (2010).
Watch for marked containers “Pennies” in the Narthex.
BLC Sunday School / Barb Coppock

BLC’s website: www.blcmiddletown.org / Church e-mail address: blcoffice@cinci.rr.com
Pastor Michelle’s email address: pastormichelle@cinci.rr.com
BLC’s Monthly calendar is now posted on the website
To receive a copy of BLC’s weekly e-mail, notify the church office with your current e-mail address.
Report e-mail and other address changes/phone numbers to the church office @ 423-1191

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prayer Requests: July 2010

This list is presented in the hope that our members will remember to pray, to visit, and to send cards to our shut-ins.
This is one way to show our love and concern for our shut-ins, and to let them know that they are a vital part of
our church family.

Our shut ins: Tom Charles, Lois Hartman, Fran O’Connor, Marie Woodruff, Max
Sommers, Virginia Pardonner. Eleanor Szabo is now a resident of Mt. Pleasant, Room 110, Rehab Center.

Prayer Requests and Concerns: Please share your prayer concerns by
e-mailing the church office, or writing them on the “pew card” when you are in church on Sunday.

Friends & Family: Kim and Eric; Mary Spencer, Rebecca, Mabel, Chris; Victor Fox, Leonard, Scott, Paul, Eileen
Boren, Brent, Joe, Gale, John, Thomas, Marianne, Shawn, Joan, Stephanie, Lyle & Sharon, Seth, Charles,
Jesus J, Janice, Brooke, and Bill.
God

During the month of July, offer a “special prayer” for our Nation and our Leaders.

Offer a “special” prayers for the following:

Tammy Harmon (brain tumors)
Jean Philpot
Charles Harmon
Sharyn Edelen (recovering from surgery)
David Szabo (surgery)
Libby Austin (Jane Follmer’s sister)
Dick Mehl (recovering from shoulder surgery)
Eric (requested by Jonathan Garner)
Rick Pearson, triple by-pass surgery
Pastor Gary Hilfiger (additional surgery)
Eleanor Pauley, Everett Shaffer’s sister
Jake Schaefer and Matthew Davenport.
Jimmy Courey, Zona’s grandson. (Heart problems)
Family members who are considering going to a church.
The victims of the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico
Members of the Armed Services and their families awaiting their return.
Family members and friends who wait with loved ones who are undergoing medical procedures
that they may feel the presence of God’s healing spirit giving them strength and helping them
face the challenges of illness.

Thanks to God for our church family, friends and neighbors in our community.
Pray for the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Believers as they go about the work commissioned by God.
In the event of illness or hospitalization, please notify the church office
@ 513-423-1191, or fill out the pew card in today’s bulletin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Church Events

Join the Choir!

Do you enjoy singing?  Bethlehem Celebration Choir leads the music in worship every
Sunday and offers special music throughout the service.  We warm up each week at 10:00 a.m.
and practice after worship.

Don’t like to sing but play an instrument?  Let Jean Jordan (our choir director) know! 
We love incorporating people’s musical gifts into our worship!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lunch at BLC Café

Each month, lunch is served in the fellowship hall here at BLC. 
Right after worship, we gather for  some great food and the chance to catch up with one another. 
You’re invited to join us for the following lunches:

• July 4
• August 8 (annual church picnic at the Mehl’s house)
• September 5
• October 31 (sauerkraut supper at 5:30 p.m.)
• November 7
• December 5

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pennies for People 2010!

Last year, the youth at Bethlehem asked people to bring in their loose change,
and we ended up collecting $175.00 for the ELCA’s program “God’s Global Barnyard”! 
This money was used to help people around the world buy animals (in our case, a goat and sheep)
to become more self-sustaining.

In 2010, we’re asking you to bring in your loose change again!  It is a great cause and a
wonderful way for the youth of BLC to help people around the world who are in need. 

Please put your “pennies” in the containers in the narthex marked “Pennies for People”. 
It’s a much better place for all that loose change than the couch – and it helps families for a lifetime!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Electronic Giving Available

Bethlehem offers a giving option that may be more convenient for many of our
members and friends.  Electronic giving works in the same manner as electronic payments
that are automatically withdrawn from your bank account.

To sign up for this giving option, all you need to do is fill out an authorization
form and return it to the church office. You choose the donation frequency, amount,
and fund the donation goes to . . . and the rest is automatic!

Benefits for You

• The satisfaction of giving to God first
• Easier to fulfill stewardship commitments
• Strengthens participation and support in the church
• Allows you to contribute even when you are away
• Easier personal budgeting
• More secure than bringing cash or checks to church

Benefits for Bethlehem

• Cultivates consistent giving
• More predictable cash flow for better planning
• Less work for office staff
• Secure and easy cash maintenance

Our traditional envelope and collection system will remain in place for those
members and friends who are not involved in the Electronic Giving Program.
Quarterly and Annual statements will be prepared for donors by the Church Office.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Relive Our History – Historical Picture DVD!

A historical picture DVD consisting of over 200 pictures throughout Bethlehem’s history is available! 
This wonderful presentation has pictures from the old church to our recent past and is set to favorite hymns. 
It is available for a donation of $15.00, please telephone or email the church for your copy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Community Events at BLC

Family Fun Night

Each month, BLC hosts a “Family Fun Night”, open to everyone. 
While the events vary, there is always a free meal and lots of fun! 
Check the calendar for specifics on date and time for this month!

Razor’s Edge

The Razor’s Edge barbershop group meets on Monday evenings in the fellowship hall to practice. 
They also do several concerts throughout the year.

Poetry Club