July 2022 Newsletter

I hope this finds you all doing well! I hope each of you has been able to enjoy the nice weather we are having. Remember to hydrate and to use sunscreen! It has been a great beginning to the summer here at Bethany Church! We had a wonderful Vacation Bible School with around 150 kids. What an amazing testament to our church’s desire to serve the Lord and our community.

As you read this, I will be in Michigan spending time with my family. We have a small cottage on a lake that we pack ourselves into and I have always loved that my Granny said, “we don’t have a lake house, we have a home on a lake.” If a house is a building, a home is a place where family resides, where memories are made and where friendships are deepened. I think my Granny believed that because she knew, being a pastor’s wife, that that was also true of the church.

Churches are wonderful places. They are more than buildings. They are also more than pastors, more than certain leaders, and more than certain ministries even. Churches, especially Bethany Church, are places where God’s coming kingdom is imperfectly exhibited to the world. I say imperfectly because that is who we are, even as followers of Jesus Christ we are not perfect. However, the church at it’s very best always looks like a home and a family. John 14 reminds us that in God’s house there are many rooms, it is one of the great descriptions of heaven. Heaven is a home, a place where God’s family resides together for eternity.

That home will be here one day in full when Christ returns. Until then I am thankful that in the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus called his church into being. It is a home that crosses geographical boundaries, that cannot be tied to any one place or any one person. It is a home, where racial, and socio-economic boundaries are knocked down to create more space. It is a home where any one of us can celebrate life and give glory to God. It is a home where the gifts of all are welcomed. It is a home where we gather to celebrate, where we gather to grieve, where we gather to recognize the extra-ordinary things, God does amid ordinary days.

I hope that you have a home away from home, a special place to visit. I hope you get to go there this summer, but I am so glad we have our church home to enjoy together.

Blessings, Pastor Brian

Pittsburgh Prays - July 10th from 2:00-4:00pm
You are invited to be a part of Pittsburgh Prays on Sunday, July 10th from 2:00-4:00pm at Heinz Field. This event will unite churches from all over the city for prayer and live worship. If you'd like to attend, please register at pittsburghprays.com. Doors are scheduled to open at 1:00pm. If you plan to attend and would like to carpool contact Eric Gregory (eagregory1@yahoo.com) by July 8th. If you'd like to attend but not interested in carpooling, yet would like to meetup with fellow Bethany members, be outside of the staduim at Gate A/Panthers Ticket Office for 1:30pm.
 
Afghan Refugee Volunteer Opportunities - July 10th at 11:00am
The Discipleship and Mission Teams are connecting with an organization called Mercy For All Nations. This organization serves refugee families in Pittsburgh, including the South Hills.  There is a tremendous need among Afghan Refugees that are being relocated to our area. Please join us in the Chapel. We will discuss ways we can help as a congregation to share the love of Jesus. These families are arriving in our neighborhoods with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. We are called to serve the least and the lost. If you have any questions please feel free to email Eric Gregory at eagregory1@yahoo.com or Carl Suppo at cj.suppo@gmail.com.

Golden Oldies - July 21st
We will gather again at noon on Thursday, July 21st.  A picnic lunch including hot dogs and hamburgers will be featured on our delicious menu! The "Button Box Band" will be the entertainment, be ready for some lively music! The New York trip funds need to be paid ASAP! Forms for the trip in November to see "David" are available.