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Church Chat
Aug-Sept-Oct 2020 Devotional
The Miracle of Hearing and Speaking
Mark 7:31-37

This healing story has both an antecedent and a sequel. The antecedent is found in Isaiah 35: 5
-6, in a description of God’s salvation of Israel:
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a hart,
and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.
The Greek word for “dumb” occurs only twice in the Greek Bible - in this passage from Isaiah and
in the story in Mark. This strongly suggests the possibility that Mark used the story as a conscious
gloss on the Old Testament prophecy.
The sequel to the story is in the elaborate baptismal rites practiced by the church during the
centuries after Christianity became well established in the Roman world. The bishop or presiding
officer conducting the baptism would spit upon his fingers, then touch his fingers to the candidate’s
ears, eyes, and mouth. The symbolism of this gesture obviously derived from Jesus’ actions with
the man who was deaf and had an impediment of speech. The action was meant to transform the
person’s abilities to hear the word of God and to speak in witness to his or her faith.
As the story is placed in the Gospel of Mark, it is undoubtedly related also to 6: 52, which says
that the disciples did not understand about the miraculous feeding in the wilderness, and to 8: 22-
26, in which Jesus makes a blind man see. The whole section of Mark, indeed, is about being able
to see, hear, and understand what is happening in Jesus the Messiah.
Jesus’ method in this healing was not uncommon among wonder-workers in his day. What is
more interesting, perhaps, is Mark’s attention to his “looking up to heaven” and sighing before pro-
nouncing the word of cure. The German scholar J. Schniewind says that the word for “sighed” is a
particularly strong expression, and points out that it is the same word Paul uses in Romans 8: 22-
26 and II Corinthians 5: 2-4 “for the inmost wrestling of the Christian.” Apparently Jesus is contend-
ing with the whole host of demonic powers in performing this cure, and so not only looks to heaved
but concentrates to the very depth of his being. This would be very much in keeping with Mark’s
consciousness of Isaiah’s prophecy and how it had come to a head in the ministry of Jesus.
The astonishment of the disciple (verse 37) would also be consonant with this understanding.
“He has done all things well” would mean “He has fulfilled everything” - even to making the deaf
hear and the dumb speak.
Lord, in my case this may be the miracle of miracles - to make me truly hear what my ears hear
and to liberate my tongue to give thanks and to speak generously of others. I ask you to do it again
for me - and again and again if necessary. For yours is the Kingdom in every age. Amen.

From the Pastor- Rev. William Blackie III

 Bethany Presbyterian
Church Chat

Fellowship Committee AS I PRAYED

This committee will be organizing activities and
events for the church .
Members on the committee are: Betsy Lacey,
Betsy Lacey, Bruce Hutchison, Pastor Blackie,
Rob Dyer, and co-chairman's, Ron and Terry
Lawrence.
More committee members are always wel-
come.
As I prayed I said, "God, I hurt."
And God said, "I know."
I said, "God, I cry a lot."
And God said, "That is why I
gave you tears."
I said, "God, I'm so depressed."

The committee is excited to see where God And God said, " That is why I gave you sun-
leads the church this year. shine. "
If you have any suggestions, contact any com- I said ,"God, life is so hard. "
mittee member. We'd love to hear your ideas!
And God said, " That is why I gave you loved
ones. "
Gift for Anyone
I said, "God, my loved one died."
Anytime
The church cookbooks make per- And God said," So did mine. "
fect gifts for anyone.
I said, " God, it is such a loss.”
The book is $10 and recipes are And God said," I saw mine nailed to a cross."
wonderful. Copies are found on the
table in the sanctuary. I said, "God, but your loved one lives. "
And God said," So does yours. "
Did You Know? I said," God, where are they now? "
We have a box in which your questions, sug-
gestions, or concerns can be And God said," Mine is on my right and yours
heard? It is located in the vesti- is in the Light. "
bule on the right.
Did you know that you can get a I said," God, I miss them, "
copy of the session meetings And God said, “I know. But worry not, you will
minutes? Extra copies of the spend eternity with them.”
session minutes are always available in the
vestibule.
Take one home or contact our wonderful
Clerk of Session, Judy Wells, and she’ll be
glad to give you a copy of the notes.

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 Bethany Presbyterian
Church Chat

Happy Birthday!!! Happy Anniversary!!!

August Birthdays September Birthdays
1-Gibsen Goodenough 2-Jeanny Haverkorn
2-Elwood (Sonny) Davidson 3-Melissa Gonzales
4-Tara Olver 10-Vicky Bonear
5-Marie Crocker 12-Darren Thorpe
6-Emily Gunuskey 13- Kevin Knapp, Joseph Dyer
9-Tim Bell 14-Marian Knapp
19-Dan Gallik 20-Mark Bartocci
24-Rick Rine 26-Taniesha Rine
25-Helen Ward 27-Eric Whitaker
27-Keith Gunuskey 28-Jenna Gonzales, Richard Erk

August Anniversaries September Anniversaries

7-Kevin & Leslie Gunuskey 8-Kevin & MaryAnn Swingle
18-Dave & Sue Seber 13-John & Irene Stepto
19-David & Marilyn Czapnik

October Birthdays
3-Angelica Dyer
4-Jim Budd Did You Know We
6-Justin Green Have A New
7-Sierra Rine
8-Frank Ward Website?
9-Nicholas VanderWeide
12-Linda Zimmer We invite everyone to visit our new web-
16-Kevin Rine, Karen Bates
17-Heather Day, Kristin Thorpe site www.bethanypresbychurch.com
19-Bruce Hutchison and listen to Rev. Blackie’s sermon each
22-Kevin Gunuskey Sunday.
25-Jean Blackie
28-Todd Watson, Rochelle Haviland In addition the UPCOMING EVENTS from
30-Walter Barbe the church bulletin is being posted as well.
In the future there may be a photo gallery
October Anniversaries and video to keep everyone informed
1-Rob & Eileen Dyer of church activities.
13-Ron & Terry Lawrence Please come and visit our site and let us
21-Kathie & Rick Dulay know what you think.
22-Richard & Gretchen Erk
29-Cheryl & Chuck Scott
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 Bethany Presbyterian
Church Chat
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
PRAYER CONCERNS
 Central air conditioning has Nick VanderWeide, Stanley Rol-
been installed in the church
ston, Robert Dyer, Tim Bell, Eva
 Adopt-a-highway to be an-
nounced for the Fall. Crocker, Gretchen Erk, Zachary
 The prisoners are planning Hopkins, Ceil Grandjean, Marie
on fixing the sidewalk from Crocker, Bruce Hutchison, Ward Family,
the Church to The David Wil- Glen Gunuskey.
der House hopefully this summer.
 Insulating the church is completed.
 The siding on the church will be fixed/replaced
due to the insulating of it. New APP for the church
 The paving of the parking lot should be com-
pleted soon. We have a new APP for the church that we
If anybody knows of something that needs to be are trying out and all you have to do is go to
addressed, please feel free to contact a mem- the app store and download, type in Bethany
ber of the building and grounds committee. Or Presbyterian church at app store. Give it a try
you can use the and let David Czapnik know what you think.
Suggestion box ,located in the vestibule.
-Submitted by Kevin Knapp-chair

Yard and Bake Sale

Will we have our Yard and Bake Sale this Year?
We don’t know at this point.
It will depend upon what session will decide.
We have heard from many people that they are getting rid of unwanted items and
doing some type of organizing and housecleaning, we would like to let you know that
you may bring items to the barn for a possible sale this year.
We ask that all items be priced. We are so thankful for those who donate items to the church, but
this year we ask that you price the items yourself.
Also, we ask that you not bring items which do not sell, such as: stuffed animals, cloth-
ing, shoes, boots, books, TVs, computers, printers, VCR players, or VCR tapes.
When you drop things off, please, walk to the very back of the barn and place your items as far
back as possible. This will allow for more items to be placed in the barn. If you have any questions,
contact John Stepto.

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 Bethany Presbyterian
Church Chat

How to Use the Bible ONLINE BANKING FOR

When in sorrow GIVING OFFERING
Read John 14
When men fail you
Read Psalm 27 Some of our local banks and
When you have sinned our national banks are offer-
Read Psalm 51 ing “Online Banking” to pay
When you worry our expenses or bills, but did
Read Matthew 6:19-34
When you are in danger you know that you can also
Read Psalm 91 use Online banking to pay
If you have the blues your “Estimate of Giving Offering?” Payments
Read Psalm 34 online can be made on a weekly, bi-weekly, or
When God seems far away
Read Psalm 139 monthly from Your bank by listing our church
If you are discouraged as a vendor.
Read Isaiah 40 On the Bill Pay Page Enter:
If you are lonely or fearful
BETHANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Read Psalm 23
If you feel down and out 431 Wayne Street
Read Romans 8:39 Bethany, PA 18431
When you want courage for your task Phone #570-253-6316
Read Joshua 1
When the world seems bigger than God
Account Number: (would be your church enve-
Read Psalm 90 lope number)
When you want rest and peace Amount to be paid: (List the frequency that you
Read Matthew 11: 25-30 would like it to be paid)
When leaving home for labor or travel
Read Psalm 121 and 107: 23-31
The bank will forward your payments, on your
If you get bitter or critical behalf to the church following your requested
Read 1st Corinthians 13 frequency.
If thinking of investments and returns
Read Mark 10:17-31 If any additional information is needed please
For a great invitation- a great opportunity talk to either, Pat Rine or John Stepto.
Read Isaiah 55

Account Balances
Regular Checking Account: $65562.47
Capital Account/Living Nativity $3002.36
Savings Account: $34223.37
KIDS IN CHURCH………
A little boy was overheard praying:
“Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don’t wor-
ry about it. I’m having a real good time like I am”
3-year old Reese:
“Our father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His
name. Amen”

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 Bethany Presbyterian
Church
431 Wayne Street
Bethany, PA 18431
(570) 253-6316

On the web at:

www.bethanypresbychurch.com

The Session
Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Class of 2022
Robert Dyer Ron Lawrence Janet Olver

John Stepto Bruce Hutchison Pat Rine

Judy Wells Yvonne Plastaras Cheryl Scott

Alan Haviland Sally Rutherford David Czapnik

Rev. William Blackie, Pastor Clerk of Session – Judy Wells

Please inform the Cell 570-647-9898
Pastor if you are Church Treasurer – Pat Rine
aware of anyone in Email:pastor@bethanypresbychurch.com
Church Secretary – Marian Knapp
the hospital or in
need of a visit
Choir practice is held Sunday mornings
@8:30am September-May. New mem- Rev. Blackie’s
bers are always welcomed sermons are now available
and encouraged to join! If on our website
you have any www.bethanypresbychurch.com
questions see our choir Audio version will be made
director Tim Bell. available every Sunday.