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PERSONAL FAITH STORYS Recently my life has been filled with changes and choices. I guess that can be said of all of our lives. Would it not be good if we could choose a period of our lives that was enjoyable and let time stand still? But we cannot. God tells us "he has made everything beautiful in its time" and everything God does will endure forever. If our childhood were a happy time, we did not want it to end. Everything was new, fresh and meaningful. We wanted our teen years to be over soon so we could be adults. In young adulthood, there were many changes and choices: college, marriage, the birth of a child or the choice of a job. In middle age and even in our golden years there are still changes and choices. We all have to make many choices and to endure a lot of changes. Some choices and changes may be difficult adjustments for all of us. But each day as we go to God's word, he has something just for us. For example "Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of and my angel will go before you. Life is filled with changes and choices but the right choice is Jesus Christ. He will take you through all the changes." When I first started coming to Bethany in 1998, I came because I felt I needed clarity with God. Since 1998, many changes have occurred within my soul and I have seen many great changes happen here at Bethany. God tells us many things, he tells us: to live in harmony with each other, be sympathetic, love each other, be compassionate and humble. He tells us to be joyful in hope, be patient, be faithful in prayer. He also tells us to share with God's people who are in need and he also tells us to practice hospitality. I have seen first hand how God's hand has worked here at Bethany with sharing. A few years ago a family was in desperate need of a new furnace and windows, this family was also stricken with grief. I watched God's people share monetarily, faithfully and spiritually with the Clark family. I have also seen first hand how prayer is a powerful gift for us all. A couple years ago God placed an angel in the church foyer one morning, this angel came to Steve and myself and said he had heard the problems we were having with our new well and he was going to pray for it to be fixed. Two days later my well was fixed. During the past couple years we have grown very close to two other couples within the church. It all started when we went on a mission trip to a small place called Frakes, Kentucky. Beyond the walls of Bethany we have grown accustom to having fellowship together, we have practiced hospitality and even shared a Progressive Christmas dinner. We have laughed together, cried together and prayed together. One of the most uplifting blessings we seem to share, is the ability to be truthful and respectful without passing any judgment. This year my mother -- in -- law died after a six month battle with cancer. One of these couples made arrangements to be with us at the Memorial Service. The Memorial service took place six hours away at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This is what we call unconditional love. We also received many cards, prayers and loving support from the compassionate people here at Bethany. I have seen God working through a Pastor who has much harmony. I have received many blessing from Pastor Don's message here on Sundays. Many times the messages have helped me grow spiritually throughout the week. They also have helped me stay focused on my own sins that I need to pray for. Since 1998, Steve and myself have grown spiritually. We grew spiritually with the help of small groups such as Connections, and our Sunday School class. Both of my children have grew spiritually by being a part of the wonderful youth program and Sunday School class here at Bethany. My son shared with me that he was spiritually touched when he went to see Acquire the Fire, that made an awesome impact on his life. I also have witnessed God do miracles through his people here at Bethany by touching other souls outside of the church, rather through mission work or the Easter and Christmas program at the community center. Since 1998, I realized that in life when our hearts are so broken, even when change is unbearable at times, God sends us his spirit to guide us. God sent me to Bethany for change, growth and healing. Each Sunday, I see the blessed gifts God has given each of you, rather it be through prayer, your faith, your compassion or your hospitality, most of all I see your hearts sharing and believing in Jesus Christ. That is why I love my church and all of you. |
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Given by Charlene Michael during Worship and Communion at Bethany, June 2, 2002 When I started here at Bethany, I was attending Mt. Olivet United Brethren in Christ Church at Mt. Solon. I had been there 44 years. It was my husband’s home church and we had raised our 5 children there. My husband passed away in 1995. Two years later I felt I needed to get a church closer home. I chose to come here as I knew a lot of the people and I have a son and family here. Everyone made me feel welcome, but for about a year I had an inner struggle whether to stay or go back. Each Sunday as I passed the road I would be taking to Mt. Solon, the old struggle began, but I always wound up here at Bethany. I prayed about this during my devotions each day and other times. One Sunday as I was kneeling up front for communion at Bethany, something touched me in a mighty way. I felt it so strongly tears came and I was hearing, "This is where you need to be." I went back to my seat knowing my prayers had been answered. I told Pastor Don about this soon after it happened and that I would like to know more about the United Methodist Church and Bethany Church. He said he was planning to have a class on that. I attended that class (Class 101) and on May 7, 2000 I moved my membership here. From that communion service to this one, I have had no more struggles where I should be and I love being here. |
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