On Saturday, Nov. 16th Bethel's Married Couples enjoyed a Thanksgiving Dinner with shared dishes from our many cultures. Aside from the delightful meal, new friendships were made and there were many laughs as we played games. Best of all, was our tradition of giving of thanks and many personal testimonies told of God's provision and faithfulness through this year. To God be the glory, for all the things He has done.

"And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger (foreigner)."
Luke 17: 17-18

"Gratitude recognizes that a gift has been given, a favor has been done. There is a gift and a giver. But there is more. Gratitude also calls for a response to that gift. We thank the giver with an expression of appreciation - a handshake, a hug, a note. A gesture of gratitude completes the exchange, closes the circle, lets the love flow back to the giver" - Don Postema

Most of us have given gifts in the past only to feel empty afterwards because we never heard back whether the gift was appreciated or not. The circle was not closed - we didn't feel love flow back from the recipient of our gift. And we felt disappointed.

How often do we take all the blessings and gifts from God for granted - feeling almost entitled to them, failing to give Him the gratitude He deserves?

Has the Lord ever had to say about us, "Did I not give them a blessing? Did I not answer their prayer? Where are the ones to whom I have shown My love? They have not returned to give glory to Me."

Don't be numbered among the nine. Close the circle and let the love flow back to God. Let's make sure that thanksgvinging is more than just a holiday!

BETHEL FALL REVIVAL CONTINUES
Speaker: Jonathan Maki, Evangelist
This Thursday, November 21st - 7:45PM

LAST TGIT CLASS FOR 2019
This Thursday, November 21st

BYG THANKSGIVING & TALENT SHOW
This Friday, November 22nd - 7:30PM

CHOIR REHEARSAL
Christmas Choir
This Saturday November 23rd - 2PM
Next Sunday 9AM
Sanctuary Choir
Next Sunday - 10:45AM

FRIENDSHIP BOXES CAMPAIGN
Next Sunday November 24th - December 8th

THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Tuesday November 26th - 7:45PM
Communion Service - Everyone in the Sanctuary
No Service Thanksgiving Day

ALL CHURCH PRAYER
Monday December 2nd - 7:45PM

BYG CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Friday December 6th - 7:30PM
In the Refuge

Every first Sunday of the month at Bethel, we take time to focus on worldwide missions and what God is doing around the globe.

This is a picture of the 2019 National Convention in Mexico. There was an official count of 10,417 in attendance at the nightly services. At least 1,270 people received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at this convention a few weeks ago.

Our missionaries, the Burtons, recently sent this picture of our faithful pastor, Brother Juan Roda, transporting a group of people to church on his small motorbike. He has modified his motorbike so that it can carry at least 6 additional people.

We sometimes complain about a 30-45 minute drive in a comfortable, air-conditioned car over relatively smooth roads - but you can tell by the looks on their faces how happy they are to be going to the House of the Lord, even on the back of a motorbike with no padded seats, no seatbelts, and traveling on number and dangerous roadways! They are glad that someone said to them, "Let us go into the House of the Lord!"

Youth camps have had a powerful impact over the entire Pacific Region this past summer, including the nations of Indonesia, Papau New Guinea, the Philippines, and Fiji!

In this picture, you see a young women's service at a youth camp. The young people in this region have an intense hunger for the things of God and there is no doubt that they are going to change their world!

On average, over 350 people are baptized in Jesus name every day in the United Pentecostal Church International.

This woman was baptized in Matsusaka, Japan after a Sunday service last month. Here we see her pastor praying for her just before she was baptized.

This picture shows our missionary, Brandon Borders, baptizing a man a few weeks ago in New Zealand. This man was one of three who were baptized that day in the church in Hamilton that Bro. Borders pastors. At the beginning of this year, the Borders were averaging 55 people in their Sunday services. Now they are averaging 90 people each week. Revival is beginning to happen in New Zealand!

Another soul being baptized - - this time in the Baltic Sea in Europe

In this picture, a new convert is being baptized in Jesus name by our missionaries in Sao Paolo.

A baptism in Liberia (West Africa)

A baptism in the crustal blue waters of the Polynesian nation of Tonga!

Here we see our missionary, Craig Sully, baptizing one of 10 people who were baptized last month in the city of Banjul in Gambia (West Africa). This is a country that has not had United Pentecostal Church before, and these 10 baptisms mark the beginning of a brand new church in this nation!

THANK YOU BETHEL, for being #2 in North American in Global Missions Giving

YOUR FAITHFUL GIVING TO MISSIONS IS MAKING AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE

Once again, Bethel is partnering with Island Harvest to feed the hungry in Long Island. This year's food drive will run from Sunday, November 3rd through Sunday November 17th.

Food receptacles are located in the church lobby. Please bring canned meats, fish fruit, vegetables, soups, sauces, pasta, cereal, dry milk, almond or soy milk, baby formula, spices, coffee, tea, personal care items, and nutritional drinks (e.g. Boost, Ensure). Do not bring perishable food items.

If you prefer to make a monetary donation instead, please place it in a church envelope and write "Island Harvest" on it. Make checks payable to Bethel. At the conclusion of our food drive, Bethel will make one check to Island Harvest for all monetary donations that were given.

Custodial Team Sign-Up
Sign up in the Lobby

All-Church Prayer
Monday Evening - 7:45PM

Mid-week Bible Study
Thursday - 7:45PM - Classes for all ages

BYG Youth Service
Thursday - 7:45PM - In the Refuge

Purpose Institute
November 14th-16th - Registered Students Only

Married and Engaged Couples Thanksgiving Feast
Saturday November 16th - 6:30PM in Davis Hall

Annual Food Drive
Continues through November 17th

BYG Thanksgiving & Talent Show
Friday November 22nd - 7:30PM - In the Refuge

Choir Rehearsals
Christmas Choir
Sunday - 9AM
Saturday November 23rd - 2PM
Sanctuary Choir
Sunday 10:45AM

Discipleship Classes
Sunday at 10:00 AM - Registered students only 

Do you read that? The scripture says that all who live godly are going to suffer persecution. Not just the super-saints, not just missionaries in hostile lands - but all.

If you're going to live for God, you're going to run into persecution somewhere along the line. The devil is going to make sure of it! This is not meant to be a word of fear, but instead, a word of preparation.

When you're wise to the strategies that Satan uses, it's harder for him to use them successfully to discourage you or get you off track.

2 Corinthians 10:4 says, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds"

We have been given supernatural power and divine weapons to defeat every attack of the enemy. But it is our responsibility to stay armed and prepared for Satan's inevitable attack.

Jesus said, "Rejoice and be glad at such a time, and exult and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is rich and great and strong and intense and abundant in heaven" (Luke 6:23, The Amplified Bible).

So be prepared for persecution. Wear the armor of God, have your spiritual weapons ready at all times. And when Satan attacks, rejoice and praise God, for no weapon formed against you shall prosper!

MIDWEEK SERVICE
This Thursday at 7:45 PM Classes for all ages

YOUTH CHOIR REHEARSALS
TODAY at 4 PM
September 29th at 4 PM
Thursday, October 3rd at 7:30 PM (No mid-week service)
Friday, October 4th at 7 PM

UPCI GENERAL CONFERENCE
September 24th at 27th
Indianapolis, Indiana

YOUTH CONCERT at “CROSS”
Saturday, October 5th at 7:00 PM
Josh Carson, Youth President, UPCI James Wilson, Guest Soloist

ALL CHURCH PRAYER
Monday, October 7th - 7:45PM

DISCIPLESHIP I & 2 CLASSES
Sundays at 10 AM

CARE GROUPS
Meet at various locations Call the Church office for information

ANATOMY OF A DISCIPLE

This past Thursday evening, Pastor taught Part 1 of a lesson entitled, The Anatomy of a Disciple. In the study, he pointed out three major features that identify true disciples.

#1. CONTINUE IN THE WORD
John 8:31  …If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Disciples make Bible reading, Bible study, and meditation a part of their daily life and they are doers of the Word and not just hearers of the Word only.

#2. LOVE THE CHURCH –THE BODY
John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Disciples are commanded to love their brothers and sisters in the same manner that Jesus loved us (sacrificially) and to show that love in a way that is visible to the world. What have you done lately to show your love to the body? What are you doing to visibly demonstrate brotherly love?

#3. BEAR FRUIT
John 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Authentic disciples will produce the fruit of the Spirit i.e. love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (self control). This is not just an occasional good deed, but a lifestyle of fruit-bearing that prompts even non-believers to glorify God! (Matthew 5:16)

In case you missed last Thursday's lesson or would like to re-watch it, here's the full lesson: