January 17, 2020
Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture:
Joel 2:28-32

Sermon:
"We Must Not Dream Alone"

Rev. Timothy L. Adkins-Jones, Ph.D.,
Senior Pastor
VIRTUAL WORSHIP CONTINUES
Thank you for worshipping with us this week! Above is a replay of yesterday's service. We were so blessed by the GLOW Youth Choir this week. Pastor Adkins-Jones' sermon begins at 01:02:15 (1 hour, 2 minutes, and 15 seconds).

Join us LIVE on Sunday mornings at 8 A.M. and 11 A.M. for our weekly worship services. You can watch us on YouTube or on our website. Visit bethany-newark.org/liveservice/.
Prayer Requests

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." --Matt. 5:4

Please keep the following members of our extended community in prayer:

Bethany Baptist Church - Newark extends a heartfelt congratulations and thank you to Brother Gregory Butler upon his retirement. He has served us faithfully as one of our sextons for the past 17 years.

We pray peace and protection for all involved with programming for the Inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris.

Sister Elmira Yancey, who is hospitalized at St. Barnabas with COVID and pneumonia.

Sister Sharon McIver, as she continues to recover from COVID.

The family of Deacon Romy Florence, whose sister, Kristen Florence, had a stroke.

The family of Veronica Merriman, who lost her husband, Harold, on Saturday. Veronica is Deacon Franklin Dobbins's sister.

The family of Brother Edward Fletcher, the rapper known as Duke Bootee, who wrote "The Message" for Sugar Hill Records. Fletcher passed away on Wednesday, January 13.

Minister Renee Brown-Johnson's friend, Annette, whose son Marquis passed away at work last Saturday. His family and coworkers are grieving badly.


"If you have any personal prayer requests, please know that you are always welcome to submit them to the church office or at our website: bethany-newark.org/resources/request-prayer.

We continue to keep in prayer all individuals and communities that have been affected by the Coronavirus. We pray for caregivers, individuals who are waiting for test results, and all who have lost loved ones in this season. We also pray that all leaders will seek wisdom as they prepare to reopen their communities.

Rev. Timothy L. Adkins-Jones, Ph.D., Senior Pastor
MATTHEW 6:9 WEEKDAY PRAYER CALL
The Matthew 6:9 prayer call continues on weekday evenings at 6:09 pm. To join the prayer call, as well as to listen to our Sunday morning worship services, you may dial 1-425-436-6372, and when asked, enter 146003 as the access code.

"In this manner, therefore, pray: "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name." -- Matt. 6:9, NKJV
TRUSTEES' CORNER

WAYS TO GIVE

Thank you all for giving faithfully and sustaining our ministry during this time. As a reminder, you can give in the following ways:

ONLINE:

BY TEXT:
Text the "AMOUNT" to 973-339-0329

BY MAIL:
Bethany Baptist Church
275 West Market Street
Newark, NJ 07103

NEW: Give using CASHAPP:

*NOTE: When using CashApp, please put your name and purpose (tithe, offering, etc.) in the description.
REGISTER FOR ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING ON JANUARY 31

All members are invited to register for our annual church meeting, which will take place after the 11:00 service on Sunday, January 31, via Zoom.
WE HAVE A CHURCH APP!

We are so excited to announce that there is now one more way for you to stay in contact with Bethany Baptist Church - Newark: the MinistryOne App! The app can be downloaded from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. After downloading the app, search for "Bethany Baptist Church Newark".

Through this app, you will be able to give, watch past sermons, register for events, and more.

In 2018 and 2019, the MinistryOne app scored consistently in the top 5 of mobile church apps for its affordability for church leaders and accessibility for church members.
UPDATE MEMBER CONTACT INFORMATION

Members: Please call or submit your contact information (address, phone number, email address, birth date, etc.) so we can keep communicating essential information to you. In times like these, having the correct contact information for you all is incredibly important. You may call the church office at 973-623-8161 or email Alice Turner at aperson@bethany-newark.org or Brenda Galarza at bgalarza@bethany-newark.org. You may also submit the following form:
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION NOW OPEN - APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 31ST
THE COVID-19 VACCINATION IS NOW AVAILABLE

New Jersey now has an online portal that enables you to register for a vaccine. Once you are eligible to receive the vaccine, you will be notified and can then find a vaccination site, pre-register, and schedule an appointment. Some vaccination sites may offer walk-up/on-site registration as well when doses are more readily available. Visit covidvaccine.nj.gov to register.
BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH DANCE MINISTRY
LIMITED MOVEMENT WORKOUT

The Dance Ministry will host a Limited Movement Workout. There will be six virtual classes (1/12 - 2/16). You may register at the below link:
THE COVID-19 MOBILE ALERT APP
Currently, there is a surge in the number of positive cases of the COVID-19 Virus in our community. 

The NJ Department of Health is working to decrease the spread by strongly encouraging the use of the COVID Alert App. 

They are also working to dispel the myths that prevent us from taking advantage of this tool to save lives. 

Once the APP is downloaded it provides multiple services to a person who has tested positive. 

It can also alert another App user if they have come in close contact with one who has tested positive. 

Please take advantage of this tool. It can be downloaded through Google Play Store and the App Store. 
SEASONAL DEVOTION BOOKS STILL AVAILABLE

The winter Sunday School books, "Our Daily Bread," and "The Secret Place" devotionals are available. You may pick up a copy at the church.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CHARTER SCHOOL ACCEPTING FALL 2021 APPLICATIONS
MESSAGES FROM THE FOOD PANTRY

Dear Friends of The Food Pantry,
Thank YOU for your generosity and support of the BBC Pantry during this difficult time.  Your ongoing donations are truly appreciated and continue to assist us in our mission.  Because of your continuing efforts, donations, and concern we have been able to serve our community with dignity and love these last 17 years. This year we have thus far served 3,845 families, meaning 14,481 adults and children. What a blessing! On behalf of those we serve, please accept our sincere gratitude and thanks.  Most sincerely, JLee, Volunteer Director, BBCFP/CC 
---------------------------
Bethany Baptist Church - Newark is excited to share with you that at the end of the year 2020, our food pantry has served more than 16,000 people. This is four times as many people as were served in 2019. We are so grateful to the Lee family and all of the food pantry volunteers and donors for making this possible.

MALE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Food Pantry needs male volunteers on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. For further information, please call Jon Lee at 201-396-0857.  
CRISIS COUNSELING FOR ANYONE
EMOTIONALLY STRUGGLING WITH COVID-19
REMINDER FROM THE EXAMPLE YOUTH MINISTRY
Parents and youth, please email theexample@bethany-newark.org and provide your name, child's name, Date of Birth, phone numbers for parent and youth, address, and email address. Thank you!
A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE
BETHANY CARES IN SEARCH OF VOLUNTEERS

Bethany Cares is looking for volunteers with grant writing experience to assist in seeking funding as BCI will soon celebrate its 20th year of operation. For more information, contact Bill Lee at welee@me.com or the church office (office@bethany-newark.org).
YOUTH AND ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

There are two Adult Sunday School classes. The Contemporary Sunday School class is taught by Deacon Linda Caldwell Epps at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. The Traditional Sunday School class is taught by Brother Ronnie Walker via conference call immediately following the 8 a.m. service. Please contact the church office for login information.

There are also two Youth Sunday School classes. Children ages 11 and younger meet at 9:30 a.m. and teens between the ages of 12 and 18 meet at 10:00 a.m. Please contact the church office for login information. Teen Sunday School Zoom information is below:
ADDRESSING THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Dear Bethany family,

As the COVID-19 strain of the Coronavirus spreads, it is in our interest to keep you informed and protected. We encourage you to practice proper hygiene habits and be careful when interacting with others. Here are some precautions to take:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • If you are sick, stay home.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Instead of shaking hands, greet others with a fist bump, elbow bump, "Wakanda Forever," or anything that does not require direct physical contact.
  • Do not use your fingertips to touch shared surfaces. For example, you may use paper towels to open doors, press elevator buttons, etc.
  • Keep hand sanitizer and disinfectants within reach and in locations you frequently access, such as the entrance to your home, your car, and any personal bags that you carry.
  • Stock up on medications and other essentials you may need in the event of quarantine, such as nonperishable food items.

We especially encourage our Seniors to take extra precautions, as data has proven that they are most at risk of catching the Coronavirus.

In addition, we as a church have taken steps to increase the availability of hand sanitizers in common spaces.

Although we are no longer having in-person meetings, please join us live in worship on our YouTube channel and at bethany-newark.org. You may also give securely online through our website. In the midst of these uncertain times, we want you to be able to worship with us as you always do, except from the comfort of your own home. Please be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and click the icon that looks like a bell in order to receive all notifications in real time.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. We pray for your protection during this time, and for a safe and full recovery for anyone who has been infected.

For more information, see the following publication from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pdf
NEWARK URGES RESIDENTS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS TO CALL NEW JERSEY HOTLINE AT 1-800-222-1222. Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day. More information at https://www.njpies.org/
ANNOUNCEMENT AND COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES

If you would like to submit a graphic (flyer, poster, etc.) for the newsletter or video announcements, please ensure that it is an image file with the suffix .png or .jpg affixed to the end. PDF files are also acceptable. However, Microsoft Word documents may be resized or otherwise damaged in the process of conversion. PDF files and image files are preferred. Video submissions should be approximately 30 seconds long.

We would also appreciate if all announcements are proofread and edited before submission, as it would make the writing and distribution of our newsletter much more expedient.

In addition, if you know someone who is not receiving the biweekly email newsletters, please encourage them to follow these steps in order:

  1. Check your spam email folder.
  2. Add "office@bethany-newark.org" to your contacts.
  3. If you still do not receive our emails, you may sign up for the newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of our homepage (bethany-newark.org) and typing your email address under "Newsletter Sign-Up", OR
  4. Email our Director of Media and Communications, Min. H. Rebekah Keazer, at hkeazer@bethany-newark.org with your name, preferred email address, and any other relevant contact information.