Our mission as United Methodists is to make disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world. That’s certainly a pretty serious purpose, but that’s what we strive to do at First Bethel, animated by God’s joy, compassion and peace.
Will you find a perfect church? No. We are just imperfect people who are trying to make this world a better place.
Are you looking for answers? So are we.
We are a group of soulful individuals who try to accept everyone, wherever they are on their journey through life, whatever their spiritual history might be, and whatever they might believe.
We try to be a home for all persons – of all backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and interests. You probably won’t find a group of people that try harder to make community happen.
First Bethel is a church that welcomes all. We will accept you exactly as you are! Our goal will never be to judge you … but to embrace you – and love you – and encourage you in your individual walk of faith.
Perhaps a favorite birthday memory as a child is having a birthday cake brought to you, with a number of flame-topped candles inserted into the cake surface. There’s just something about candles in this context. A child possesses an imagination that allows the candles to take on an almost magical quality. Along with this, the making of wishes with the warmth and light of the candles near the face, candles can become a favorite symbol throughout childhood and beyond.
Candles have always had a distinctive place in our society, and as such they represent an incredible link that taps into our past. In a quite unique way, candles radiate messages of security, warmth, hope, and spirituality. They are a burning example that the whole is more than sum of its parts, though they are just a little wax and a wick. Deeply rooted in almost every religious and spiritual practice, creed and nationality, there is something peculiar and symbolic in a solitary flame and the aura of light surrounding it. It enlightens, enlivens, inspires, and comforts. No matter how thick the darkness, the light of one candle conquers it. No matter how solitary one flame is, it is never alone or lonely, for its light knows no boundaries and touches eternity. People of all faiths and walks of life, and many different creeds, have joined together in a candlelight vigil to grieve, pray or celebrate.
We use candles significantly at First Bethel. We use them as symbols of life and eternity in our All Saints’ Day service. We use them to close our candlelight services on Christmas Eve. We light them each Sunday to symbolize the presence of God’s Spirit amongst us. Currently, our sanctuary is graced with a beautiful Advent candle wreath that holds four candles representing hope, peace, joy, and love along with the Christ Candle, symbolizing the light of Christ.
I would encourage you all to take thirty minutes of time this Advent season in a mostly dark room, lit with one solitary candle…and just be … retreating from the season’s busyness. Reflect upon God’s desire to bring the light of salvation into the world through the light we call Emmanuel… God With Us! May we all thank God for this wonderful gift!
Journeying together,
Pastor David Ewing
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