Good News and Joy to Share

Christmas for many is the loneliest time of the year. But part of

the good news of Christmas is "you are not alone." God is with us.

Not only that, but we are not alone in ministry. We

are part of a network of Christian Churches

(Disciples of Christ) that stretches around the world.

Our Christmas offering is a reminder that we are

part of an Oklahoma network of 164 caring, giving

congregations. While we each are separate

congregations, we find a way to co-minister with

those churches throughout the region to do the

work we can't do alone.

For instance, this year, summer ministries sponsored by the Commission on Children, Youth, and

Young Adults were attended by 486 children and youth from 57 congregations; some from

Bethany. Through the Commission on Clergy in 2012 we celebrated the ordination of 5 women

and men to the ministry. That's just in Oklahoma alone.

In February, the 20th Annual Leadership Training School was held in Oklahoma City where more

than 400 Disciples from across the region received inspiration and education to become more

effective in leading their congregations. That's training no one congregation could do alone.

These are just a few of the ways our regional office in Oklahoma City helps us as we serve in

Christ's name. The special Christmas offering to be received during the next two Sundays is one

way we can support that vital work. Your generosity now is part of what will help that ministry

continue in 2013.

Alice Jane Lanier

Office: M-F 9 a.m.—2 p.m. 918-492-1353

December 14, 2012

Breakfast Club

....will be 12-15-12, at 9:00 AM at Mimi's

Cafe, 71st & Memorial. Come join us for

good food, fellowship and a break from the

hustle bustle of Christmas.

Sign up or let Phil and Nancy

Gray know you'll be there.

918-492-2519 or

philgrey@earthlink.net

Disciple Women

For their December service project,

the Disciple Women assembled Hugs

and Treat Bags of candy for the Day

Center at the Homeless.

Janelle Galloway and Alice Jane

Lanier presented Christmas music to

the Disciple Women during their fellow-

ship together.

2012 PFLAG Tulsa Community

Book Wrapping Project

at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in

Southroads Shopping Center

Bethany is signed up to wrap

December 18th 6:00-9:00 p.m.

"One of the groups we support is PFLAG as

a part of our outreach ministry. We can help

them by volunteering to wrap presents."

Please see Rev. Kelli Driscoll

to sign up!

Please make the following change in

your Church Directory:

Grace Young

6800 S. Granite Ave. Apt. V201

Tulsa, OK 74136-7014

Phone: 918-619-9024

Please see

the NEAT’s Newsletter

posted on the Bulletin

Board. Be sure to sign up in

advance at

918-743-1303 for

most attractions!

BETHANY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING MINUTES

DECEMBER 9, 2012

Moderator Mike Crosse called the meeting to order after worship at 11:55am.

Elder Chair Toni Imbler was asked to give an overview of the proposed resolution “ A Declara-

tion to Proclaim the Christian Church (Disciples of

Christ) A People of Grace and Welcome to All” and moved its adoption on behalf of the Elders.

BCC has been asked to join some ten other Christian Church congregations in support Of the

resolution to be offered at the 2012 General Assembly as a ‘sense of the assembly resolution”.

The BCC Board recommends the congregation adopt the motion. The motion carried.

Treasurer Kelly Kirby gave an overview of the proposed 2013 church budget

Which has been recommended by the BCC Board for adoption. Motion carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 12:07pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy Hunt Wirth,

Bethany

Burns Mortgage

Bethany’s Hospitality Ministry

invites you to celebrate

The Burning of the Mortgage

for the

Church Addition

at

the home of

Wanda Adams

7227 E. 65th Place

Tulsa, OK

December 31, 2012

7:30 p.m.

Bring hors’ d’ oeuvres to share.

Transportation available

Janelle Gillispie feels good while giving

blood during Bethany’s blood drive. Do-

nations were directed to the Global Blood

Fund.

Bible Study Class

Will Look At Context

You may have read the New Testa-

ment (or parts of it), but do you know

what was going on at the time? That's

what our Bible Study class will begin this

Sunday. We hope you would like to join us

at 9:15 (notice the time).

We are excited by the

teacher, Dr. Luke Timothy

Johnson, professor of N.T.

at Chandler School of Theol-

ogy in Atlanta.

He has created a series of

lessons on DVD, so to view them we'll

meet in the Youth Lounge.

The first lesson is an overview of the

series. It will be a good opportunity to see

if you would like to return for other lessons.

Dr. Johnson is a favorite of our

class. We recommend this series to you

without hesitation. See you, Sunday?

“The Burro”

Down from Galilee

the burro with its burden

makes these prints of peace.

Down to Bethlehem

the burro carries Mary

who carries Jesus

Down for all of us

The burro brings from heaven

Hope- -the Prince of Peace

“The Camels”

Down from Araby

the camels with their burden

make these prints of peace.

Down to Bethlehem

the camels carry magi

who carry presents.

Down for all of us

wise men kneel in God’s presence

now- -Emanuel

Bethany Newsletter Schedule

Changes for the Holiday

The schedule for the Bethany Brief and/or

Newsletter will be different this month.

Due to the fact Marci is taking vacation the

week of Christmas, we need you to think

about any news, articles, or notices that you

would like published in the December 21st

Brief.

The deadline for turning items in to Marci is

December 19th. There will be a Brief on De-

cember 21st and it will be the last published

news until after the new year be-

gins.

After December 21st, if you have

information that must be sent out,

please call Reverend Kelli Driscoll.

On December 24, 2012, Bethany

Christian Church will be open to eve-

ryone for a Christmas Eve Worship

Service.

This Candlelight service will begin at

7:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Bethany Church Calendar

Elders Serving

(Bread, Wine)

Dec. 16 Kelly Kirby, Alice Jane Lanier

Dec. 23 Geoff Brewster, Tommie Kinyon

Dec. 30 Marilyn Bowers, Ruth Ann Fate

Deacons Serving

(Door/Acolyte, Door/Prayer)

Dec. 16 Steve Fate, Maria Taveau

Dec. 23 Judy Krase, Jesse Fate

Dec. 30 Loren Krase, Kathy Herwig

Dec. 15 Breakfast Club – Mimi’s’ Café 9 a.m. at

71st and Memorial

Dec. 16 Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday School, join us at 9:15am

Worship begins at 10:45 a.m.

Christmas Offering

Open House at Kelli & Nick’s 4 to 6 p.m.

4367 S. Rockford Place, Tulsa

Dec. 18 PFLAG Gift Wrapping 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

at Barnes & Noble in South Roads Mall,

sign up with Kelli

Dec. 18 Deadline for all Newslletter articles or notices

through Dec. 31st. Email to church office.

Dec. 19 Church Secretary out-of-office

Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday School, join us at 9:15am

Worship begins at 10:45 a.m.

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7pm

Dec. 25 Christmas Day

Dec. 24 – 31 Secretary on vacation, out-of-office, will

check in to do mail etc.

Dec. 26-28 Vacation Bible School, Habitat for Humanity

Dec. 30 Sunday School, join us at 9:15am

Worship at 10:45 a.m., Rev. Bob Lawrence

Fifth Sunday Dinner, after worship at Oliveti

Dec. 31 New Years Eve

Mortgage Burning Party, 7:30 p.m. at

Wanda Adam’s house

Serenity Groups meet Sun., Tues., & Fri., 7:30 p.m.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1st Dennis Smith

4th Jo-Ann Jennings

5th Brittany Comeaux

6th Mary Dickey

6th Margaret Ekey

8th Grace Young

8th Janet Edge

17th Paula Cross

17th Michael Owen

20th Nancy Gray

21st Jim Bearden

22nd Natalie Madaj

30th Dena Fate

30th Mack Kelly