Bethany Church of Somerset County
Our Mission
Our Mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly. Bethany Church of Somerset County is a place where we actively worship and praise God, uplifting and energizing each other through Christian love, fellowship, Biblical education and acceptance. We do this by going into the world to tell others about Jesus, not necessarily always by our words, but also by our actions. We firmly believe that:
“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”
(James 2:17 NIV).
Our Beliefs
Bethany Church of Somerset County, a Global Methodist Church, believes that the one triune God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – has created all things; that Jesus Christ, through the power of his cross and Resurrection, is the Lord and Savior of all the world; and that the Holy Spirit empowers the people of his church to worship and praise God and to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world in word and deed. We believe in the authority of the Bible, the power of prayer and the importance of living out our faith in our daily lives.
"If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:19 NIV).
Worship and Contact Information
Service Times:
Church Worship: 9:00 am
Sunday School: 10:15 am
Address/Telephone:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 23, Sipesville, PA 15561
Street Address: 570 W Bakersville-Edie Road, Somerset, PA 15501
Telephone: (814) 442-5772
Our Pastor:
Pastor Keith Lohr
Telephone: (814) 521-8194
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20a NIV).
Serving Opportunities
There are numerous opportunities to serve at Bethany Church of Somerset County including:
- Lay Leader to assist with worship services,
- Delegate to the Global Methodist Annual Conference,
- Trustee to oversee the care of building and grounds,
- Teacher for Sunday School and Bible studies,
- Member of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, and
- Door greeters, ushers, event coordinators, etc.
“If it is serving, then serve, if it is teaching, then teach. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:7, 11 NIV).“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Ephesians 6:7 NIV). “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV).
Mission Tithing
In accordance with scripture, Bethany Church of Somerset County strongly believes in tithing. We practice what we preach by tithing 10% of the titles and offerings we receive to support the following missions and charities:
- Love in Action
- Ramps R Us
- Somerset County Mobile Food Bank
- Next Step Center
- Camp Allegheny
- Meals on Wheels
- North Star Outreach
- Salvation Army
- SAM Van
“When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering” (Numbers 18:26 NIV).
Additional information for several of our sponsored missions is presented below.
Give
Bethany Church of Somerset County - you can give to Bethany Church of Somerset County by clicking on the Donate button below or by mailing your donation to:
Bethany Church of Somerset County
P.O. Box 23
Sipesville, PA 15561
Sponsored Charities - you can donate online to the following charities, which are supported and sponsored by Bethany Church of Somerset County, by clicking on the Donate button below:
- Love in Action (Guatemala Mission)
- Residence of Life (Costa Rica Orphanage)
- Ramps R Us of Somerset County
- Somerset County Mobile Food Bank
“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:30 NIV).
Love in Action
Bethany Church of Somerset County sponsors Love in Action (Amor en Accion), a Guatemala based mission operated by pastors Vinicio (Vinny) and Fabiola (Fabi) Samayoa in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala (also commonly referred to by its Mayan name Xela). Vinny and Fabi had careers in banking and received a calling from God to become pastors. Their calling has led them to their current mission of sharing the Word of God to impoverished families in the Mayan communities near Xela.
Vinny and Fabi started their mission in April 2018 and in November 2019 their Guatemalan charitable organization, Amor en Accion (Love in Action), was officially approved by the Guatemalan government.
If you would like to provide financial support to Love in Action, you can make a donation through Overflowing Love, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization, by clicking on the Donate button above.
“Dear children, let us not LOVE with words or speech but with ACTIONs and in truth” (1 John 3:18 NIV).
Titus Epaphro
Bethany Church of Somerset County sponsors Titus Epaphro (not his real name for safety), a missionary serving since 2015 in the primarily Muslim city of Istanbul, Turkey. He is a leader in the Tuzla Church, the only Christian church in the southeast corner of Istanbul. His responsibilities include leading worship, discipling, music ministry, online ministry, and, most importantly, sharing the gospel with anyone who will listen.
Titus helped start Radio Marantha, the only Christian radio station entirely in the local language, where he is responsible for all the music and technical operations. This includes composing and arranging worship songs, playing and recording multiple instruments, mixing and editing songs and educational podcasts, and broadcasting these materials on various websites and podcast platforms. He has recorded over 100 worship songs and hundreds of educational, inspirational podcasts.
If you would like to provide financial support to Titus Epaphro, you can make a donation through Sixteen24 Ministries by clicking on this link: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/sixteen24-ministries-inc/titus-epaphro-support.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21 NIV).
Ramps R Us
Ramps R Us builds handicap ramps for individuals who need assistance getting in and out of their home. All labor is provided by volunteers. Materials are purchased with donations received from ramp recipients and their families and friends, and from numerous local charities, clubs, churches and businesses.
If you would like to provide financial support to the ramp program, you can mail a check payable to Ramps R Us to P.O. Box 23, Sipesville, PA 15561, or you can donate online through Overflowing Love, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization, by clicking on the Donate button above.
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NIV).
Somerset County Mobile Food Bank
The Somerset County Mobile Food Bank distributes free food to bring fresh produce, frozen meats, dry goods and other items to low-income households in Somerset County. The Somerset County Mobile Food Bank is a 501c3 nonprofit organization managed and operated primarily by volunteers with distribution in the communities of Berlin, Boswell, Central City, Confluence, Davidsville/Hollsopple, Meyersdale, Rockwood, Somerset and Windber.
If you would like to provide financial support to the Somerset County Mobile Food Bank, you can mail a check payable to the Somerset County Mobile Food Bank to 1686 Coxes Creek Road, Somerset, PA 15501, or you can make an online donation through Overflowing Love, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization, by clicking on the Donate button above.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for
with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16 NIV).
Next Step Center
The Next Step Center provides temporary housing for Somerset County families and individuals, enabling them to work toward resolving issues that led to their homelessness. The Next Step Center's policy is to offer a helping hand, not a hand-out. Several members of Bethany Church of Somerset County serve as board members and/or volunteer at the center.
If you would like to provide financial support to the Next Step Center, you can mail a check, payable to the Next Step Center to 406 Stoystown Road, Somerset, PA 15501.
“The service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12 NIV).