A word from Pastor Larson

Transcription

1 A word from Pastor Larson BETHLEHEM STAR December 2018 ADVENT 2018 PROMISES FULFILLED, The Message of the Prophets BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH 490 Fourth Street North Bayport, MN WEBSITE Dear Friends, As we begin this new liturgical year, with the season of Advent, I want to stress that we have a God who keeps his promises. On each Sunday during Advent we will reflect upon the message of promise from four of the great prophets of the Old Testament, Jeremiah, Malachi, Zephaniah, and Micah. Each of these prophets, in his own unique, God inspired way, gave the people a promise from God, that a messiah was coming. It is amazing for us today to look at these promises and see how beautifully they were fulfilled in the loving action of God in his son, Jesus. The Christmas story did not happen out of the blue. It was predicted, planned, and carried out by a God who loves us in spite of all of our disobedience, bad judgement, and lack of faith. God used prophets, before Jesus, to deliver his promises, promises that gave the people enticing and hopeful images to cling to in the midst of suffering, war, and very hard times. May these promises continue to give you hope as well. May God bless us as we also cling to his promises and prepare ourselves for the birth of his son. CHURCH OFFICE Monday - Friday 9am-1pm office.blcbayport@gmail.com December

2 Church News Bethlehem Giving Tree Celebrate this Christmas season helping needy families in the St. Croix Valley, by way of our Bethlehem GIVING TREE. This will be our 38th year of sponsoring others through Holiday Hope. We will provide gifts and a holiday meal to each family or senior. The Giving Tree is already up in The Connection. Please select one or more gift suggestion tags from our tree. You may choose to go together to purchase a more costly item. Please purchase the gift(s) suggested on the tags or give money toward the purchase of groceries, including gift receipts for any clothing gift purchases. The grocery money will be divided according to the size of the family. Wrap the newly purchased gift and place it under our tree with the original tag attached. (This helps us to know if all of the gifts are accounted for.) Thank you and God Bless each of you for your generosity of giving Christmas Joy to others! Bethlehem Giving Tree Together, as we consider our own blessings and joys,bethlehem will provide support and love through our Christ-centered mission to those in need. Please give cash, gift cards or checks for The Giving Tree families to Ann Gilman, Lori Gleason, or Hope Pederson. You may also place any monetary donations in the offering plate or drop it by the Church Office. Please make sure all donations are clearly marked Giving Tree. The wrapped gifts or money donations must be brought to Bethlehem on or before Sunday, December 16 in order to deliver to the families before Christmas. Please don t be late. God s blessing to you and your family this Christmas and throughout the holidays! The Bethlehem sanctuary is adorned with these beautiful streamers this year. I am envisioning the Promises of God spoken through the mouths of the prophets over the centuries all coming true in Jesus. Stars will be added soon. It will be breathtaking! -Pastor Rich CAROLS IN THE CONNECTION Sunday, December 16 Plan to stay after worship on Sunday, December 16 for Carols in the Connection. Have some coffee and treats, enjoy conversation and fellowship with you neighbor, and sing your favorite Christmas carols, accompanying by pastor Rich s band, Three Saints and a Sinner. December

3 Church News continued A MOTORCYCLE FOR THE IMAGE PARISH We recently received notice that a new motorcycle was delivered to the Iringa Diocese in Tanzania. Pastor Alan Msole was there with one of his church leaders, Obed to receive the new bike with great joy. As you can see in the photo, they are very happy with their new mode of transportation. Many thanks go out to all of you folks who contributed so generously to the motorcycle fund during last summer. There was plenty of money to buy the motorcycle, along with new helmets, and guarantees of maintenance and gas for the future. Asante sana, to all for the new piki piki. The Train to Bethlehem Sunday, December 16th Bring Grandma, Grandpa, and other family and friends to see our Bethlehem Kids in their program! The Bethlehem Ski Trip is returning home on the train from a ski trip in Whitefish. All are expecting to return to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, but wait, where do they really end up? Enjoy this home produced program, featuring our Bethlehem children, confirmation students, senior high, and adults. BETHLEHEM SKI TRIP TO WHITEFISH March 9-15, 2019 Plans are being made for the Bethlehem Ski Trip to Whitefish, Montana. We will leave on the Amtrak train, late in the evening on Saturday, March 9. We arrive in Whitefish, late on Sunday, March 10. We ski for three days, March 11,12,13, and then board train home on Thursday morning, March 14, returning early morning March 15. The cost is estimated to be around $550, which includes train ticket, four nights lodging, three days skiing, breakfasts, and lunches. See Bob Johnson and/or Pastor Rich for more details and to sign up! December

4 Worship with us! Advent Midweek Services Join us on Wednesday nights for Mid-week Advent services at 7:00 p.m. on December 5, 12, and 19. We will explore the themes of Expectation, Repentance, and Fulfillment through scripture and song. New this year, we will also serve Holy Communion at the railing, which will include personal time at the altar for prayer and meditation. Take time out from the busyness and loudness of the commercial world to be recharged and fed through Word and Sacrament. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE Monday, December 24 4:30 pm Service of Candlelight and Carols, time for kids, special music and Christmas Handouts 10:00 pm Service of Candlelight and Carols, Holy Communion Have company that night? People coming over? Why not invite them to come to church with you this year? Make memories at Bethlehem together this holiday. BETHLEHEM PEACE LIGHT Sunday, December 9 Every year we are blessed to receive the Bethlehem Peace Light. This light has been transported from Jesus birth place in the underground grotto of the Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the Holy Land of Israel. Dedicated Boy Scouts and their adult leaders faithfully transport this flame overseas to all parts of the United States and beyond. The light will be presented during worship on December 9. The light will be available for people to get their flame in the Connection after worship. Special miniature lanterns will be for sale from the scouts. The flame will also be kept at a local scout leader s home for the rest of the Christmas season if you want to get it later for your own home. December

5 Preparing for Worship First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel Dec 2 First Sunday of Advent Dec 9 Second Sunday of Advent Dec 16 Third Sunday of Advent Dec 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent Dec 24 Christmas Eve Dec 30 First Sunday of Christmas Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25: Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-26 Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18 Micah 5:2-5a Luke 1:46b-55 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-55 Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2: Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Psalm 25:1-10 Colossians 3:12-17 Luke 2:41-52 Croixdale Bible Study We gather with coffee, treats, prayers, and Bible Studies on Tuesday mornings. Meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Club Room, of the Croixdale Residence in Bayport, Hwy 95, N December 4 and December 11 (no study December 25 or January 1) Contact Pastor Rich if you have any questions. December

6 Children, Youth & Family Ministry MARK YOUR CALENDAR: December 8 Confirmation 2.0 Bowling December 15 Christmas Program Practice, 9am-11am December 16 Christmas Program, 9am CYF Christmas Party, 10:30am December 23, 30 No Sunday School December 26 No Wednesday After School Kids No Confirmation The Train to Bethlehem Program Practice Saturday, December 15th 9am-11am Bethlehem Women Our BLCW March meeting will be on Thursday, December 13 at 1 p.m. in the Forum Room. All are welcomed. Advent and Christmas are our thoughts for Bible study. Sharon Knox and Ginny Peulen are our hostesses. There will be no quilting group in December. December

7 BLC Volunteers December Kristi Mahnke & Becky Cummins Bethlehem Lutheran Church If you would like to learn more about this important ministry, please contact Kristi Mahnke December Leader: Julie Grams Phone: or (cell) Treats Ushers Readers Worship Asst. AV ACOLYTE Dec 2 Donna Hogberg Julie Grams Donna Hogberg Kristin Mahnke Kristin Mahnke TBD Violet Dahl Dec 9 TBD TBD Hope Pederson Hope Pederson Mark Schoolman Jenna Ellis Dec 16 Youth Sunday Christmas Program TBD BLC Youth BLC Youth Katie Engelking TBD Dec 23 TBD TBD Mary Croft Mary Pilquist Mark Schoolman Dec 24 4:30 Christmas Eve Addyson Preuss ALL ATTEND Violet Dahl None Needed Dan & Ginny Peulen TBD TBD TBD TBD Dec 24 10:00 Christmas Eve None Needed TBD Beth Burns Jenny Schoolman TBD TBD Dec 30 TBD TBD Mary Pilquist Mary Pilquist TBD TBD December

8 Music News December Music Rehearsal Schedule The rehearsal schedules for Chapel Choir, Bell Choir, and Bridge of Harmony will change slightly to accommodate midweek services. On December 5 and 12, Bell Choir will meet at 6pm, Chapel Choir at 7.30pm, and Bridge of Harmony at 8.30pm. Bells will not rehearse on December 19 as Bethlehem will be caroling at Croixdale that evening; Chapel Choir will rehearse at 7:30pm. There will not be any rehearsals December 26 or January 2. Rehearsals will resume on January 9. Spring Choir and Bell Schedule The following Sunday schedule for Chapel Choir and Bell Choir are subject to change. Bell Choir: January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7 and 21, May 5. Chapel Choir: January 20, February 17, March 17, April 19 and 21, May 19. CAROLING AT CROIXDALE On Wednesday night, December 19, we will join with our friends from Memorial Lutheran Church in Afton and serenade the residents at the Croixdale Residence in Bayport. Come a few minutes before 6:00 p.m. to get ready and get your songbook. Afterward we will return for mid-week worship at Bethlehem. If you have questions about choir or music ministries at Bethlehem, please contact David Lim at music.blcbayport@gmail.com December

9 Our Community Share the Joy! 7th Annual Adam McCloud Foundation Toy Drive, Spaghetti Dinner, & Holiday Boutique Featuring the music of 3 Saints & a Sinner! Saturday, December 1st 5:30 8:00 PM Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Bayport, MN Bring a toy donation to benefit local kids in need. Family and friends of Adam McCloud invite you to share his love through joyful giving. All proceeds and donated toys go to benefit local kids through the Place of Hope non-profit organization. Join the community for our monthly Second Sunday Supper in the fellowship hall of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. On the menu will be lasagna, salad, bread sticks, and dessert. Christmas music will be provided by Three Saints and a Sinner. We recently received a call from a community member sharing a grateful heart. He and his wife, who has advanced Alzheimer's disease, frequent the Second Sunday Supper Community Meal. He called to share a sincere thank you for providing good food and fellowship for them. This phone call solidified how much of an impact this opportunity to serve our Bayport community makes, if even just for one couple. December

10 Dates to Remember Dec 1 Bethlehem Boutique Dec 1 Adam McCloud Toy Drive Dec 2 Worship with Communion, 9am Sunday School, 10:15am Connection Conversations, 10:20am Dec 4 Croixdale Bible Study, 10am Dec 5 Wednesday After School Kids, 3:15pm Confirmation, 6pm Advent Mid-week Service, 7pm Expectation Bells, 6pm Chapel Choir, 7:30pm Bridge of Harmony, 8:30pm Dec 8 Confirmation Bowling Dec 9 Worship, 9am, Peace Light Sunday School, 10:15am Connection Conversations, 10:20am Poinsettia Orders Due Croixdale Worship, 1:45pm Second Sunday Supper, 5pm Dec 11 Croixdale Bible Study, 10am Dec 12 Wednesday After School Kids, 3:15pm Confirmation, 6pm Advent Mid-week Service, 7pm Repentance Bells, 6pm Chapel Choir, 7:30pm Bridge of Harmony, 8:30pm Dec 14 NEWSLETTER ARTICLES DUE Dec 15 Christmas Program Rehearsal, 9am Dec 16 Worship, 9am, Christmas Program Carols in the Connection Youth Party, 10:30am Dec 18 Croixdale Bible Study, 10am Dec 19 Wednesday After School Kids, 3:15pm Confirmation Caroling Party, 6pm Caroling at Croixdale, 6pm Advent Mid-week Service, 7pm Fulfillment Dec 20 Dalley / Meyer Rehearsal Dec 21 Dalley / Meyer Wedding Dec 23 Worship with Communion, 9am No Sunday School Connection Conversations, 10:20am Dec OFFICE CLOSED CHRISTMAS EVE Dec 24 4:30pm Candlelight & Carols 10pm Candlelight & Carols Dec 26 No Wednesday Programming Dec 30 Worship, 9am No Sunday School The Bethlehem Lutheran Church office will be closed Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25 to allow staff to spend time with their families over the Christmas season. In observance of the New Year, the office will be closed Monday, December 31, 2018 and Tuesday, January 1. We will resume normal hours on Wednesday January 3, December

11 Happy Birthday! 12/2 Zoe Genz 12/3 Allison Genz Lee Mary Pilquist 12/4 Ellie Land 12/5 Linda Lindstrom Mitch Reid 12/6 George Kuehn 12/7 Rogene Noreen 12/12 Mary Croft 12/13 Sandy Kolashinski Lucy Magle 12/14 Lauren Cummins Andrews 12/15 John Chase 12/16 Wendy Rollings Jack Flaherty 12/18 Robert Radke 12/19 Lilliana Dombrock 12/21 Danielle Leis 12/25 Levi Benson 12/26 Hadley Jordan 12/28 Kathryn Nelsen 12/31 Whitnee Jones Poinsettia Memorial Garden Christmas Eve, 2018 You are invited to purchase a poinsettia plant for this year s Memorial Garden. The Red, 4-7 bloom, 6-1/2 inch, gold foil wrapped poinsettias will be arranged on the altar area of the sanctuary on Christmas Eve. (Plants may be picked up after the 10:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve). All purchases will be listed in the bulletin with memorial name and donor. All orders and payment must be received in the office no later than December 9. Plants are available for $12.00 each. Please complete the form below and leave it in the offering plate, along with cash or check with Poinsettia Garden notated on the memo line. Orders may also be left in the office. I wish to purchase poinsettia(s) for $12.00 each Name of Donor In Memory of In Honor of Amount Enclosed $ December

12 In Partnership with God, with each Other, with the World! Bethlehem Lutheran Church 490 N 4th Street Bayport, MN Pastor Rich Larson rich.larson@bethlehemstar.org Cell: David Lim Music Director music.blcbayport@gmail.com Office: ext. 11 Office Hours: 9:00am to 1:00pm Monday-Friday office.blcbayport@gmail.com Main: December