Tuesday Afternoon Church

Good Afternoon Bethlehem

I hope that you all had a wonderful 4th of July!  I sure did and I'm a little red to prove it.  

A few quick announcements

• For all youth going to the Hammonassett Youth Gathering September 9-11, I need the registration form and a check for $45 this coming Sunday.  You can download the registration form at http://www.hammoconnect.com/registration, click on the link for "participant registration form' about halfway down on the left-hand side.  Are you an adult interested in going?  Please email or talk to me.
• Senior Lunch is tomorrow.  We will be meeting at noon at the Sunset Grill in Norwalk.  All are welcome to join us. 
• The giving basket will be collecting toiletries throughout July & August.  Travel sizes are especially welcomed but any size shampoo, soap, conditioner, mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc, is needed.  All items will be donated to the Americares Health Clinic in Danbury. 
• Bethlehem is going to the Connecitcut Wine Fest on Sunday July 31.  A group will be leaving after worship to head to the Goshen fairgrounds.  Tickets are $25 at the door, $20 in advanced or $10 for DD/under 21.  For more information check out ctwine.com 

Book of Faith Puzzler

Last week's question was: The Old Testament reading is from the prophet Jeremiah.  Which of these is not another book of a prophet?  A) Ruth B)Amos C)Habakkuk D)Isaiah.  No one answered this week's question so I'm keeping all the bread to myself.  But Ruth is not a book of a prophet.  Ruth is one of the histories found more towards the beginning of the Old Testament.  The prophets start at Isaiah and run through Malachi.  

This week's question is: Which is not a letter attributed to Paul?  A) Romans B) Galatians C) Jude D) Philippians.  Since I'm sending this a day later than normal, you have until Thursday at noon this week to submit your answer to the puzzler.  Hint: you only need to read the first verse of each book to find out. 

Sunday's Sermon

You can find the sermon here if you missed it or want to red it.  What is your definition of freedom?  What failures keep you from being free?  How do you find freedom in Christ?

Wednesday's Worship

Tomorrow night we will hear about Jonah and the big fish and talk about how we listen to and follow God.  Do you run away into the belly of a big fish, or do you go where God is commanding you to go?  Worship begins at 7pm but come early at 6:30pm for dinner.

This week's text

This coming Sunday the gospel is the well loved parable of the sower found in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.  When have you felt like your life is hard soil like a path?  When has your life been rocky ground when you faith has not had deep roots?  When has your life been full of weeds and other things have consumed your faith?  When has your life been good soil when you are able to care for and nurture your faith?  What is the soil of your life right now?  How can I and others tend to you, encourage you and pray for you so that you may be good soil?  

I hope you all have a great week and I'll see you soon!

~Pastor Becca