Bethany's 54th Church Anniversary Theme Prospectus

“A Trusting Future in God’s Hands”

By Rev. Hadley R. Edwards

54^th Church Anniversary Theme Prospectus

As we celebrate the 54^th year of Bethany United Methodist Church we are in the midst of some of the most challenging days in our recent history. We are living amidst an unstable financial climate in the world. We are paying more for transportation than we have ever paid. The high price of gasoline has affected the cost of food in our grocery stores. The extraordinarily high prices have also affected our travel plans, our entertainment and other enjoyments that are centered around driving. Energy and natural resources which are used to warm and cool our homes are also at an all time high thus making all of our “comforts” either a challenge to acquire or to keep. We continue to live in a world where war has become a constant reality. The effects of war are tremendous and we are often devastated by the mere mention of the circumstances they bring that are upsetting to our mere existence.

One could say that “living” is fragile right now. In such a time of instability the Church needs to remind the world that our life is NOT in the hands of those who control “purse strings, buttons, and legislation but rather our life and our future are in the hands of an Awesome God. God has never taken his hands away from the world nor has God lost Ultimate control over the happenings of our lives. It should be the message and mission of the Church to serve as a heralding reminder of our God who promises never to leave us nor forsake us.

When all other “helpers” vacate, abandon, or change their output towards us, God remains faithful. During this 54^th celebration our message, ministry, and mission will take on a global uniqueness that will proclaim to the WORLD, “We Have a Trusting Future in God’s Holy Hands”. We will faithfully conceptualize a reminder given us through the Gospel of John 10:28:

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hands.”

We will acclaim this theme through a song to the world whose words were written by a Cherokee Indian while serving in WWII. “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands”, is a reminder to the world that the God we serve is in touch with the whole world and that his hands hold us so tight and so close that nothing in the world will be able to destroy his hold on us. It is our intent to reach beyond ourselves and into the world! We will make intentional efforts to “connect” with our brothers and sisters around the world through our varied celebrations. We will open our hearts, minds and doors in our attempt at promoting oneness around the world as children of an Awesome God.

In these 54 years of Service to God Bethany Church has always found comfort and security in God’s holy hands and we are relying on those same hands to hold and to guide our every footstep into the future. So when the devil threatens us with fear and tumult regarding our present and future we can valiantly respond by saying we have “A Trusting Future in God’s Holy Hands”.

ANNIVERSARY HYMN/SONG

1. He´s got the whole world in His hands,
|: He´s got the whole world in His hands, :|
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

2. He´s got the wind and the rain in His hands,
|: He´s got the wind and the rain in His hands, :|
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

3. He´s got the tiny little baby in His hands,
|: He´s got the tiny little baby in His hands, :|
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

4. He´s got you and me, brother, in His hands,
|: He´s got you and me, brother, in His hands, :|
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

5. He's got ev'rybody here in His hands.
|: He's got ev'rybody here in His hands. :|
He's got the whole world in His hands.

Anniversary Color

ORANGE

Orange is a power color. It is one of the healing colors. It is said to increase the craving for food. It also stimulates enthusiasm and creativity. Orange means vitality with endurance. People who like orange are usually thoughtful and sincere. Lady luck's color is orange. I have been told that if a change of any kind is needed in life, just burn an orange candle for 7 nights.