Hey Everybody,

Thanks for Checking-in At Bethany this week.

First, I want to correct some incorrect information I shared in last week’s Check-in. I had incorrectly said that you could download a copy of the study guide for the Journey With the Seven Last Words on line for our observance of Good Friday. You can’t. I was wrong. Gasp. They will be handed out on Good Friday when you come to church. Details below.

If you want a printed copy of this week’s Check-in click here or go to web site, www.bethanyberlin.org then Pastor’s Blog.

This Sunday at Bethany- I will be preaching on the Fourth Word of Christ from the cross.
“25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing there, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” John 19:25-27.

A week earlier, throngs of people gathered to cheer the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We know the day as Palm Sunday. Lots of people hit the “like” button. Now, only 4 people show up at his place of crucifixion-4 women and 1 man. Where are the “brave” guys who vowed to defend him to the end? It is kind of interesting that 4 women had the courage to show up at his death and get close to the cross; and the first people to the tomb on Easter are women, no men. Where are the guys? Hiding.

I can’t imagine what must have been going through her heart. The death of a child is the worst human emotional experience we can have. Hanging there in imaginable suffering, completing the work of redemption with our sins being dumped on him, he sees his mother, and the look that must have been on her face.

His love for his mom is greater than his pain. He tenderly commends her to the disciple whom he loved to be cared for when he was gone.

How is this word important for your life and my life today? We will be exploring this together in Sunday’s sermon, entitled, “Suffering Love”

WE’VE GOT SOME EXCITING THINGS HAPPEN AT BETHANY BUT…before I go into them, we have something really neat planned for our children. I’m going to step away from the camera and invite Megan Cooke, our Ministries Facilitator, to tell you all about it.

EASTER BUCKETS FOR FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
On April 7, the children will celebrate Easter with an egg hunt during Family Fellowship. Please consider helping with this activity by donating an “EASTER BUCKET” filled with $10 worth of items (candy, small toy, stuffed animal, etc). A total of ten “EASTER BUCKETS” are needed by Sunday, April 4. Email or call the church to sign up and to receive information on the ages of children. If you prefer not to shop and wish to donate towards this activity, indicate this in your message.

HERE ARE THE UPCOMING SERVICES FOR HOLY WEEK

Sunday, March 28-Palm Sunday-We celebrate the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem one week before his death.

Thursday, April 1 – 7:00pm-Maundy Thursday communion service. To find out more about Maundy Thursday, click here.

Good Friday, April 2 from 12noon 6:00PM- “Journey With the Seven Last Words of Christ. You will have the opportunity to read, and reflect on each of the Seven Last Words from your car, as you drive to each one. You will have a study guide that will assist you at each word.

Easter
6:30am-We will have our Easter Sunrise service at the Maryland
portion of Assateague
10:00am- Easter worship at our regular time.

ATTENTION MEN- “Play the Man” is a men’s conference, May 13-15 held at Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, MD. Check out the link at http://www.forged.life/#theme . It will be a great opportunity for guys to gather for fellowship and connecting with God. I’ll be attending and will be one of the speakers.

EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF
Over the next couple of weeks, we are going to receive a special offering for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) for helping recovery in areas devastated by the storm. The annual goal of UMCOR for disaster relief is 20,000,000. To date they have received $3,003,617.19. If you make a gift, please put in the memo section: UMCOR #901670.

EASTER LILY ORDERS: $10 each – Orders accepted through March21
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

AND FINALLY – DON’T FORGET TO MOVE YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD 1 HOUR SATURDAY NIGHT.

8648 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: 410-641-2186 Email: bethany21811@gmail.com
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