Prayer Concerns...3 Drama, Dessert, and Donations... 4 Bethel Happenings April & May Birthdays & Anniversaries Calendars.

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1 Be helight A Publication of Bethel Lutheran Church A member congregation of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 7171 Pearl Road, Middleburg Heights OH (440)

2 Be helight A Publication of Bethel Lutheran Church Let your light shine before others so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matt 5:16 NRSV In This Issue... Prayer Concerns....3 Drama, Dessert, and Donations Bethel Happenings April & May Birthdays & Anniversaries Calendars Church Office Office Hours Mon Fri 9AM 1 PM Fax Number Steven M. Krebill Pastor Erika Haskell Director of Music Kathy Victor Administrative Assistant bethelstaff@sbcglobal.net Christie Scott M.E.E.C. Director M.E.E.C. Office The Congregation Reporters 2

3 Deadline for the Summer 2016 BeTheLight is May 15 th The purpose of BeTheLight is to inform our members, friends and visitors of worship services and to encourage spiritual growth, Christian Education opportunities, missions and outreach, activities, fellowship events and volunteer opportunities. This newsletter is meant to be an informational tool of Bethel Lutheran Church where we serve together as a family in Christ. The BeTheLight welcomes contributions and letters. Copyrighted material (including prayers and inspirational verses) cannot be published without written permission from the author. MISSION STATEMENT The people of Bethel Lutheran Church are called by God to be faithful to the word of God and proclaim it to all people. We share Christ s love and forgiveness by being Christ s hands, feet, arms and voice as we gather and as we scatter. Ongoing Prayer Concerns PERSONS IN NEED OF HEALING Chuck Behm, Deborah Braun, Carl Burgess, Warren Burgess, Marshall Camp, Jennifer English, Linda Hegwer, Robert Hintze, Karen Horner, John Hura, Aaron Jardina, Carol Jones, Brigitte Kern, Lynn Kostura, Joyce Larson, Cy Maszczynski, Pamela Misischia, Donald O Dell, Clifford Riedel Jr, Mary Sollers, Janet Sopko, John Stefanik, Pat Sterba, Bob Thompson, PERSONS WHO ARE HOMEBOUND FROM THE PASTOR- SPRING 2015 Norm Heger~Irene Miller~ Eleanor Olschewsky~Mary Reinke~Velma Wolff Please keep these friends in your thoughts and prayers. 3

4 You are cordially invited to an evening of Drama, Dessert, and Donations (to the youth fund) as members of Bethel Lutheran Church s Faith Explorers (Also known as the Not-Ready-For-Any Time Players ) Proudly Present (A tale of adventure, bravery, bullying and how to use a mop in battle situations) Saturday, April 9, PM in the Fellowship Hall of Bethel Lutheran Church 4

5 B-W ALUMNI CONCERT COMING IN MAY On Friday, May 6 at 7 PM, Bethel Lutheran Church will host a concert of music by a choir consisting of alumni of Baldwin-Wallace University. The concert is free and open to all and will include sacred and secular music. Mark your calendar and join us for an enjoyable evening of music. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS At the Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 26, we welcomed ten new members into our community of faith. Zachary Andrew Kelly became a member through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. We also welcomed Craig Campfield, Therese Campfield, John Hura, Holly Hura, Julia Kilkenny, Danny Kilkenny, Nancy Kilkenny, Pat Kilkenny, Granger Krebill, and Barbara Steffen who joined us through affirmation of faith. Be sure to check the Gathering Place hallway for pictures and biographies of our new members and warmly welcome them to our community. 5

6 Tidbits from the Library Did you know there is a website dedicated to give you a Daily Bible Reading? Go to and check it out for yourself. I also found another useful website, which will provide the lectionary (RCL) for every Sunday in the three year cycle. It will also give a variety of translations, prayers and hymns to accompany the lectionary readings. Caring Support Group Aging can bring new challenges to our lives. Do you see yourself as a caregiver? Are both you and/or your spouse experiencing frustrations due to health or mobility issues? Our congregation s Journey Together team is seeking to provide support to our members by encouraging participation in monthly gatherings where information, encouragement and prayers will assist you during this time of life. Wednesday, April 20 at 1:30pm, Christ the Redeemer Lutheran on 9201 Brecksville Rd in Brecksville will host the 1 st monthly gathering. Do you have questions or concerns about government benefits, home assistance programs or other senior resources? A speaker from the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging will provide information on the many resources available in our area for help physically and/or financially. Parish Nurse Jill Koubal will facilitate our time together. Questions? Contact the church office or Jill,

7 Camp Mowana It s not too late to register for camp! Many people have already signed up for their week at Camp Mowana this summer. High School week is July 3-8 and Pastor Krebill will serve as chaplain for the junior and intermediate camp the next week, July It s not too late to register and as always, we have scholarship assistance available. See Pastor or Kathy for more information. Know Your Thrivent Congregational Advocates For many of our fund raisers and events, Thrivent Financial has supported our ministries and helped us address our needs. Example: Congregation members have taken part in an "Action Team" for God's Faithful Followers, using $250 of seed money from Thrivent to lower our out-of-pocket costs. The February/March BeTheLight newsletter describes Thrivent's "Action Teams." The article notes that you can get information by calling THRIVENT. Another way to learn how Thrivent can help you cut costs with an event you are planning is to talk with a Thrivent Congregational Advocate. Bethel has three Advocates: Ed Harbart, Karl Yanuzzi, and Ray Herzog. Like many of you, we are volunteers. In this case, spreading the word about Thrivent's giving back, helping people to live generously, showing God's love in amazing ways. See Ed, Karl, or Ray after Sunday service, call, or Ray Herzog 7

8 Bethel's Ministry Teams Working on Thirteen Programs In January, forty-three people signed up for Bethel's "We Are Bethel, Ministry Teams" program. On February 1st, more than thirty of these folks met in small groups to discuss the first steps for the top thirteen ministry ideas identified at our congregational meetings during our sabbatical. Enthused for the great things the ministries can accomplish, the highly energized groups discussed how they would carry out identified goals. For some of the ministries, Bethel's teams might partner with sister congregations who are already providing services in the "Journey Together" program. Ideas include a Bethel Block Party, new ways to look at LIFE Together, increasing involvement in service ministries (such as Habitat for Humanity and Redeemer Crisis Center), increasing use of social media for Bethel, and intentional connection ministries with those who can t be at worship on Sundays or those who are experiencing difficulty or life changes. The groups will continue to meet and develop the ministries, overseen by a council member. Volunteers and new helpers are always welcome. The table shows the ministry teams and their council leader. To be part of these teams and better serve our congregation and community, please contact the council member and she will connect you with the appropriate group. We need many hands to develop and grow our ideas that we created as a congregation. We need you and would love your help and input.... Jane Salem, Ministry Sabbatical Committee Chair... Ray Herzog, Ministry Teams Reporter Service Jane Salem Improve participation with local food banks, Redeemer Crisis Center, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, etc. Increase participation with Habitat for Humanity Provide rides for members to worship and other needs Intentional outreach ministry for women, men, couples in need/crisis/life transition Witness Laura Elewski Improve and extend use of social media Adopt a member who cannot be in worship: college student, military, shut in, and provide intentional connection Bethel Block Party Community Garden Learning Jackie Bailey Develop alternatives to LIFE together Consider possibilities of alternative worship Social/Fellowship groups Yvonne Hoelter Build on Media Team and its usage in worship and other events Consider possibilities of alternative worship 8

9 Birthdays and Anniversaries 2 Russ Bailey 3 Velma Wolff (Happy 95 th Birthday) 3 Gail Brophy 4 Jackie Kottke Bondor 5 Elsie Petrov (Happy 91 st Birthday) 5 Adelaide Rescola 5 George & Elfie Schuster (Happy 30 th ) 8 Giesela Stiene 9 George Schuster 10 Jennifer Stiene 10 Eliza Karp (Happy 16 th Birthday) 13 Molly Weaver 13 Mitch Harshman 14 Nik Schuster 14 Fred & Sandy Sauvey (Happy 43 rd ) 15 Esther Johns 15 Nick LoPiccolo 15 Lena Tuffner 15 Joan Colon 16 Marie Link 18 Isabel Haskell 25 Alex Salem 25 Sam Haskell 25 Tara Gray 26 Robert F. Breska 28 Nancy Kilkenny 29 Victoria Bobey 30 Neal & Thelma Bradnan (Happy 56 th ) 9

10 Birthdays and Anniversaries 1 James Sandine 2 Darlynne Eberhart 2 Linda & Anthony English (Happy 24 th ) 3 Emma Reardon 4 Sophia Schobel 4 Barbara Steffen 6 Wayne Derschau 6 Olivia Karp 7 Lori Sandine 8 Mary Reinke 8 Lynn Foster 8 Betty Powers 8 Melissa Gold 9 Chase Leidy 9 Debbie Breska 10 Jessica Stiene 11 Mary-Ellen Leidy 11 Carol Pickens 12 Bob & Lois Minut (Happy 55 th ) 13 Sue Van Straaten 14 Ruth Sindelar 15 Diane Hail 16 Brittany Kvasager 16 Rachel Gray 19 Martha Scott 22 Cliff & Carolyn Riedel (Happy 62 nd ) 23 Ed Costa 26 Alina Bondor (Happy 21 st Birthday) 27 Joyce Larson 28 Susan Mohnickey 30 Craig Campfield 31 Jutta Zwingleberg 10

11 April 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Study 8am 3 4 Spring Break ends MEEC classes resume 5 Lectionary Bible study 10am 6 Choir 7:30pm 7 GFF 7pm 8 9 Drama, Dessert and Donation Event 7pm Lectionary bible study 10am Men s Luncheon 11:30am MEEC BD Mtg (FH) 6:30pm Council Mtg GFF 7pm :00pm Lectionary Bible study 10am 20 Choir 7:30pm 21 GFF 7pm Seasons of Life Hospice Memorial 12:30-4pm Lectionary Bible study 10am 27 Choir 7:30pm 28 GFF April Birthday Dinner 7pm

12 May 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat BW Alumni Choir Concert Rehearsal 7-10pm Lectionary Bible study 10am Choir 7:30pm GFF 7pm BW Alumni Choir Concert 7pm Lectionary Bible study 10am 11 Choir 7:30pm 12 GFF 7pm Council Mtg 7pm Lectionary Bible study 10am Choir 7:30pm GFF 7pm Lectionary Bible study 10am MEEC Graduation (Sanctuary) GFF Talent Show & Birthday Dinner 7pm Lectionary Bible study 10am 12