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8648 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, MD 21811   Phone: 410-641-2186
Email: bethany21811@gmail.com   Webpage: www.bethanyberlin.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BethanyUMCBerlin
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethanyumcinberlinmdJOIN ZOOM BY PHONE: 1-301-715-8592 or 1-312-626-6799
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Hello everybody.
I hope you are doing well.

This week the Bethany family received some sad news. Dan Runde died after a long illness. His wife Pam is very active at Bethany. We are lifting them up in our prayers.

We are now in the season of Lent. To find out more about Lent, click here.

SUNDAY SERMON
This Sunday, I begin my series sermons on the Seven Last Words of Jesus. I will be following the Thursday book study, Seven Words, by Susan Robb.

My foundation text this week is the first word:

Luke 23:32-34, “32 They also led two other criminals to be executed with Jesus. 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” They drew lots as a way of dividing up his clothing.” (CEB)

Forgiveness. What a word! We are quick to want forgiveness, especially God’s forgiveness; but we are slow to offer forgiveness. Is there anybody in your life that you have not forgiven? Do you find it hard to forgive yourself? Do you find it hard to believe God forgives you? Suffering on the cross, the first recorded words of Jesus are, “Father forgive them, [they are clueless].” As Susan Robb asks in our Lenten Study book, “Who is “them?” Obviously, the corrupt religious leaders, the Roman guards, the crowds rejecting him, and…….you and me. Throughout Lent, we wrestle with our sinfulness, and our need to confess and tell God we are sorry. Not only that but to repent, to change. Sounds like a gloomy downer. It is, UNLESS we see the whole story-the story of forgiveness, redemption, new life, salvation. Lent brings us to the place of honesty before God, and leads us to the joy of Easter. Join us Sunday as study God’s word.

SAVE YOUR EGG CARTONS
Bring Your Egg Cartons to Church-starting this Sunday, we will be collecting egg cartons for Salisbury Urban Ministries. They have been given eggs without cartons, and need the cartons to keep them secure. There will be a receptacle in front of the kitchen for them.

EASTER LILY ORDERS $10 each
Honor or remember a loved one with lilies to adorn the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Checks written to BUMC or use PayPal through the church website. Call/Email the church with your order and include the following in your message:
Your name
Number of lilies you wish to order
Name of person(s) you wish to remember or honor
Indicate whether you will send a check or use PayPal

CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR NORMA BULL
On Saturday, February 27 at 1pm, we will hold a celebration of life for Norma Bull at Bethany. We will observe COVID precautions. The service will be ZOOMED and recorded.

We need some volunteers to help with the service as ushers, if you are available, please contact the church at bethany21811@gmail.com.

COMING UP THIS WEEK AT BETHANY
Wednesday, 6:30 Family Fellowship

THURSDAY, FEB. 25-
10:00-Prayer Group-ZOOM
11:am & 7:pm – Book Study- Seven Words-ZOOM

CHARGE CONFERENCE, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021-6:30pm
There will only be one order of business.
Bethany has received a $20,000 gift to set up an endowment in memory of Norma Bull. By Discipline, the Trustees have to have the authorization from the Charge Conference to create an Endowment and Planned Giving Committee. This committee would manage any endowments and investments. The donor has specifically requested that each year’s earnings be used as needed in the church for ministry, program and operation and operation. The Charge Conference is open to everyone. The voting block is the members of the Church Council. The Charge Conference will vote on authorizing the Trustees to create an endowment committee and nothing else. If approved, there will be a 2nd Charge Conference to receive and act on their proposal.

MY SCRIPTURE FOR YOU- Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

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