Since we are serving Holy Communion every Sunday, we are looking for people to both prepare and serve the elements. If you would like to serve Communion, you can sign up in your Sunday School class or online at www.bentonumc.org, or just let Pastor Cheryl know. Preparing the elements would be a commitment for one Sunday for three months. It would entail purchasing two loaves of bread, being at church at 8:00 that morning, and setting up the table with juice and bread. If you could help in this way, please contact:

Pastor Cheryl cheryl.nelson@bentonumc.org

(318) 422-0914 (text or call)

Or sign-up online at: www.bentonumc.org/communion

Holy Communion Stewards and Servers...

1 Corinthians 11:24-25

24 ... “This is my body, which is given for you. Do

this to remember me.” 25 In the same way, he

took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This

cup is the new covenant between God and his

people—an agreement confirmed with my blood.

Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.”

Advent Conspiracy 2013 “The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love. So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists. And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas? What if Christmas became a world-changing event again? Welcome to Advent Conspiracy.”

This Advent will be Benton United Methodist Church’s third year of accepting the Advent Conspiracy challenge to worship fully, spend less, give more and to love all. Last year, we collected over $12,000 to support local and international missions. Lives were opened, loved and transformed through our intentional focus on Jesus as the reason for the season.

Here is the Advent Conspiracy Challenge:

Worship God each day and weekly with our church family!

Spend less this Christmas by buying one less gift per person!

Give more creatively. Make gifts that are memorable and from the heart and give the money that you would have spent on purchasing gifts toward the Advent Conspiracy offering at Church.

Love everyone. Make time to serve those in need and find ways to love our neighbor just as much as we love ourselves.

Does Benton United Methodist Church believe that Christmas can [still] change the world? Can we partner with the Advent Conspiracy (www.AdventConspiracy.org) to celebrate Christmas by worshiping fully, spending less, giving more, and loving all? Start thinking now how you can be a part of something that changes the world one life at a time. The life that you will be changing the most will be your own. We will be collecting monetary gifts during the Advent Season (December 1 – December 25) that will go toward supporting life changing ministries.

God is in the business of blessing! As God’s people, we are invited to join the family business! Be a blessing to someone today!

Our Advent Focus for 2013: December 1

Red Bird Mission

December 8 Stand Up To Hunger

(Youth focus)

December 15 Cambodia Mission

December 22 Heifer Project International

(Children’s focus)

Sonshine Ministry—Being the Church

Several years ago the “Sonshine Ministry” was begun by Peggy Stephens as she made copies of the recorded Sunday morning worship service and delivered them to homebound members of our church family. There were many who benefited from her thoughtfulness and dedication, and to her, we say a big “Thank You!”

Now, we would like to restart that ministry, and we are looking for another dedicated servant to help us. If you feel this might be a place where you could serve, just let the church office know. For more information, or to give us the name of a possible recipient, contact Pastor Cheryl at 422-0914, who is our Pastor of Visitation.

As a side note, CD’s of the worship services are always available at a cost of $2; so if there is a message that is especially meaningful to you, you can take it home with you or share it with a friend.

Being the Church The Sonshine Ministry

Dear Church family,

We are all sinners. Yet, for someone to steal the church's entire Sunday morning offering seems especially odious. As you probably know, the church safe was broken into this past Sunday and all monies, totaling $5,847.30, were stolen. Under the law, this is a felony. The perpetrator has not yet stepped forward or been caught, but the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating and giving this matter the full measure of its attention.

Most of the funds stolen were in the form of checks and other negotiable instruments--it would be very unlikely that the thief would attempt to cash these. Approximately 10% of the total stolen ($545.30) was in cash. Fortunately, all your contributions were entered into the church's accounting ledger before the theft occurred. Upon discovery of the theft, an effort was made to contact everyone who gave, with an explanation of what had happened and a request to re-do the contribution made this past Sunday. Everyone contacted was gracious and understanding, with many immediately driving up to the church to hand-deliver their replacement payments. Thanks to you, the financial loss to the church will be minimal.

The Finance Committee met this past Monday evening (of the day the theft was discovered) to discuss the theft. Included in that discussion was a review of the protocol we employ as stewards in the handling and counting of the money used to further God's kingdom. We want to assure you there was no carelessness or negligence on anyone's part that could have prevented this theft--someone broke into a locked safe. Our safe is very heavy, with a lock and key--however, to provide greater protection, we have made changes to procedures, which have already been implemented.

Finally, to the person who took the offering--we can only ask--Why? Don't you know that you are loved?! All you needed to do is ask. Don't you know that your church family is here to nurture and support you--including financially, if needed?

What we seek is that you repent of this sin and return what was taken. We know God will forgive you for what you did --and as followers of Jesus, so will the people of Benton United Methodist Church. We urge you to recommit your life to Christ and to the hope and renewal He gives to us all. New beginnings are possible through Him.

In God's love and mercy, The Finance Committee Benton United Methodist Church

Special Letter From the Finance Committee...

Knitting Class Thursday, October 17 @ 3:30 p.m. Did you know you still have time to create a few hand made Christmas items? The cost is minimal but the reward is so great - both for you and for the one you bless with the gift. You took the time just to make them a special gift. We can teach you to make a scarf, dish cloth, baby blanket even a hat. Come to the BUMC knitting class and we can get you started. It does not matter if you have not done it before you CAN do it now!

Matthew 6:14-15 14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your

heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse

to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your

sins.”