BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH Worship Meaningfully; Witness Intentionally; Grow Spiritually; Serve Purposefully; Care Resolutely; Fellowship Authentically SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT February 21, :30 & 10:00 a.m. Gathering PRELUDE New Songs of Celebration Render Michael Burkhardt Arise, My Soul, Arise! Silence is kept. Bethany Lutheran Church 4500 East Hampden Avenue Cherry Hills Village, CO As worship begins we turn to face the Processional Cross which reminds us of Christ, the center of our life in whom we live and move and have our being. As the cross moves to the altar we, too, turn to visually follow its path to the focal point of our worship. In baptism we are received into the family of God, that is, the Church. In baptism George Henry and Ayden Laird will be washed into Christ and clothed with Righteousness. As people of God we are called to join all God s people for the sake of sharing God s love and grace in the world. OPENING LITANY O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun. God, you know how fragile is our human nature, wounded as it is by sin. You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change. though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. In a world of overwhelming trouble, temptation and distraction, we confess that we have sinned against heaven and before God. We do not live fully as God s beloved ones. We use God s gifts to our own ends. Merciful Lord, forgive us and restore us, that we may resist all that draws us away from you, and be at peace with one another. We are reconciled to God through Christ. Once dead in sin, we are now alive in God. Once lost, we now are found. God clothes you in the finest robe of all, the righteousness of + Jesus Christ, forgiving you all your sins and making of you a new creation. O God, you know how fragile is our human nature, wounded as it is by sin. Help your people to enter upon the Lenten journey strengthened by the power of your word. May we be victorious over the seductions of the Evil One and reach the Easter feast in the joy of the Holy Spirit. GATHERING HYMN Blessed Be the God of Israel (vs. 1 & 3) Hymn #250 SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM Page 227 George Henry Liesmaki, son of Chris & Erica (Gruner) Liesmaki, born August 25, 2015 (8:30 a.m.) Ayden Laird Steckler, son of Bryce & Meghan (Laird) Steckler, born February 21, 2015 (10:00 a.m.) ANTHEM Grant, O God, Your Blessing (10:00 a.m.) Michael Bedford 1

2 GREETING KYRIE Lent & Holy Week Worship Schedule Wednesdays from February 17-March 16 Noon & 6:30 p.m. (Each Wednesday during Lent a soup lunch follows the noon service in Fellowship Hall; soup and pizza are available prior to the evening services from 5-6:15 p.m.) Palm Sunday, March 20, 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. Maundy Thursday, March 24, Noon and 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. is a celebration of First Communion Good Friday, March 25, Noon and 7:00 p.m. Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 26, 6:00 p.m. The Resurrection of Our Lord, March 27, 6:00, 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Adult Faith Formation 40 Days of Giving Bible Study & Conversation with Pastors Deb, Russ & Brigette 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays in the Chapel 10:00 a.m. Sundays in Room 210 February 14: Hunger & Bread February 17 & 21: Disaster & Faith February 24 & 28: Power & Powerless March 2 & 6: Giving & Receiving March 9 & 13: Abundant Faith March 16: Setting the Table The Labyrinth: Walking the Spiritual Path Experience the labyrinth walk each day during Lent through March 26, 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. in Room 412 downstairs in the youth area. 2 11

3 40 Days of Giving Lenten Devotional and ELCA Lenten Calendar This devotional is written for all ages and is easily modified to fit your needs. The structure is simple: Each day gather your household and connect (Faith + Connect) with the questions offered for the week. Then read the Bible passage (Faith + Bible) assigned for the day (five days only) and discuss the reflection questions. There is a weekly service (Faith + Serve) opportunity as well as a prayer (Faith +Pray) for the week and a blessing (Faith + Bless) to offer each other at the close of your devotional time. May the word of God dwell in you richly this Lenten season as we focus on all what God has given us! Pick up the 40 Days of Giving Household Devotional and Lenten calendar at the Welcome Center. Help Needed! With Lent upon us and Easter fast approaching we have many needs for communion assistants, ushers, lectors and Welcome Center volunteers for Lenten Wednesday services, Sunday services, Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Sign-up at the Welcome Center. Thank you!! Festival of Faith and the Arts Lent Devotional Stand by Me Festival Director, Forrest Guittar, has prepared a devotional based upon 40 African-American spirituals to help guide our walk through the 40 days of Lent. Download it from the Festival website, or pick up a copy at the Welcome Center. For our Lenten emphasis this year, we are joining congregations across the ELCA in an effort to raise $2 million to benefit the ministries of ELCA World Hunger. This support will enable crucial work to begin and help them kick-start their year-of-emphasis. Bethany has pledged $10,000 toward that $2 million goal. There are lots of ways to get involved! Save $1/day for 40 days and bring it to church on Easter Sunday. (If 250 people do this one thing we will completely meet our goal!) Take a devotional calendar and pray for our efforts and those of ELCA World Hunger. Purchase Valentine s day cards or coloring sheets at the Welcome Center or southeast entrance. Attend the Adult Faith Formation series on Wednesday nights or Sunday mornings and learn about hunger issues. (See page 11 for details.) Fast on Leap Day and contribute the money you would have spent. Pledge any amount that fits your budget. Whatever you do, spiritually, intellectually and/or financially, thank you for your support of ELCA World Hunger. Psalm 27 In the day of trouble, God will give me shelter. Philippians 3:17-4:1 Although Paul s devotion to Christ has caused him to be persecuted, he does not regret the course he has taken. Writing from prison, he expresses confidence in a glorious future and encourages other Christians to follow in his footsteps. Luke 13:31-35 Neither Herod s plotting nor Jerusalem s resistance to maternal love will deter Jesus from his sacrificial mission. PRAYER OF THE DAY God of the covenant, in the mystery of the cross you promise everlasting life to the world. Gather all peoples into your arms, and shelter us with your mercy, that we may rejoice in the life we share in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Word FIRST LESSON Psalm 27 Holy Bible pg (OT) Response after Lesson: Thanks be to God. SECOND LESSON Philippians 3:17-4:1 Holy Bible pg. 211 (NT) Response after Lesson: Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Response before Gospel: Glory to you, O Lord. GOSPEL Luke 13:31-35 Holy Bible pg. 78 (NT) Response after Gospel: Praise to you, O Christ. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 10 Lead Pastor Call Committee Update The LPCC continues to make progress in its search for a new lead pastor. We have completed all first-round interviews in an online skype-format with a total of eight candidates who were submitted to the Call Committee either by Bethany members or by the Rocky Mountain Synod after an extensive national search. After prayerful deliberation, six of those candidates have been released from consideration based on the Committee s review and recommendation. We wish them God s blessings and are confident they will continue to faithfully serve as the hands and feet of Christ. The Committee is conducting additional face-to-face interviews and conversations with the remaining candidates. As necessary, we will pursue additional information to assist us in the discernment process including site visits, Bible studies, additional interviews and reference checks. We thank you for your continued patience and ask for your prayers on behalf of the Committee members, all candidates and their family members. We remain excited about the candidates and Bethany s future and look forward to sharing additional developments with the congregation in the future. CHILDREN S MESSAGE SERMON Yet I Will Be Confident 3

4 Stewardship begins at creation when God gave to humanity dominion over all that God had made. God has called us to care, nurture and preserve creation for future generations. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Response: Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer. PEACE Response: And also with you. Meal OFFERING Wondrous Love (8:30 a.m.) arr. Paul Christiansen Follow Me (10:00 a.m.) Russell Nagy OFFERTORY RESPONSE Centering Prayer Join us on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. in Room 404 or the Bethany library or Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. in the Bethany library. The current study is New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton. Mid-week Lenten Worship with Holy Communion Wednesdays at 12:00 noon and 6:30 p.m. A soup lunch follows the noon service in Fellowship Hall; soup and pizza are available prior to the evening services from 5-6:15 p.m. See the worship schedule for all of Lent and Holy Week on page 11. Deborah Circle meets on Wednesdays from 4:45-6:00 p.m. in the Bethany library. We will be using the Bible study from Gather, the magazine of the Women of the ELCA. Contact Gail Scott at gschaeuble@aol.com with any questions. Women s Study Group meets on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in the Soul Schopp. Their current book is Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Holy Spirits Theology Pub Join us on Saturday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m. at Berkeley Untapped, 4267 Tennyson St., Denver for conversation and fun! Berkeley Untapped is donating 20% of their profits to Urban Servant Corps (USC). We will have a representative from USC come and lead us in conversation about who they are and what they do. Join us and bring a friend! Men of Bethany Please join us for a men s retreat April in beautiful Grant, CO. If you are looking for a life changing experience, look no further; this is your opportunity to connect with nature, fellowship with Christian men, and strengthen your relationship with the Lord. The retreat starts promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 4/22 and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, 4/24. Please plan to stay for the entire retreat. The cost is $175 if you register by March 20 and $195 if you register by April 8. This includes all lodging, meals and retreat materials. Registration forms are available at the Welcome Center. Visit to see participant testimonials. For additional information please contact Justin March at justin.march@weyerhaeuser.com or Bethany Family Retreat at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp April 29-May 1 will be a weekend of recreation, fellowship and relaxing! Pick up a registration form at the Welcome Center. For more information, contact Jason Davis at or Jason@bethany-denver.org. Huge Rummage Sale May 20 & 21 Come help us raise funds to refurbish/remodel the Fellowship Hall. We will begin collecting items at the church on May 18 and 19. Bring your usable items to the Great Hall. We appreciate your support. Thanks from the members of XYZ. The Preface reminds us that in Christ, we are joined to the Communion of Saints through all time and space. GREAT THANKSGIVING PREFACE It is indeed right, our duty and our joy......we praise your name and join their unending hymn: NEXT SUNDAY, February 28 Scripture Readings The lessons are from Isaiah 55:1-9 and I Corinthians 10:1-13; the Gospel is from Luke 13:1-9. LOOKING AHEAD First Communion Milestone Learning Saturday, March 12, 2-5:00 p.m. We will gather in the Great Hall for a time of learning, fun and a dinner together. This is for parents and children alike! All children first grade and up (who have not yet received first communion) are invited! We will celebrate the milestone on March 24, Maundy Thursday. RSVP to Janice at janice@bethany-denver.org. Contact Pastor Brigette at brigette@bethany-denver.org if you have any questions. National Nutrition Month On Sunday, March 13, the Health & Wellness Cabinet will have a table in the Narthex to highlight some healthy desserts and dessert alternatives. Anyone trying to decipher nutrition news knows that diet suggestions change and fluctuate often. Eating a balanced diet without excluding an entire food category is generally sound advice. Everyone craves something sweet every now and then. It s the frequency that gets us into trouble! The Cabinet will provide some samples along with some guidelines to keep the refined sugar consumption in check. We hope you stop by to see us on March 13. HOW TO HELP From the Bethany Patchers We are happy to report that we were able to send 66 quilts to Lutheran World Relief this past year. That is 66 families who will have a warm blanket to comfort them at night. This would have not been possible without all the wonderful support we have received from Bethany members. Thank you! Volunteer Opportunity You may have volunteered to lend a helping hand with a painting or yard work project through Extreme Community Makeover (ECM). But did you know there are other ways to share your skills with our Denver neighbors? Our 10 Extreme Teams range from speaking Spanish, taking pictures, serving lunch, telling stories and many more. To join ECM s efforts to build stronger communities, visit We will meet on Monday, February 22, so if you re interested in joining us, please contact Angela Bomgaars at or angela@extremecommunitymakeover.org. Bethany Fund Update Received February 14 $ 56,884 February MTD $ 89,639 Fiscal YTD $1,149,993 Hearing Assistance Please see the Sound Tech in the sound booth at the rear of the Sanctuary if you need a hearing assistant device. 4 9

5 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES February 21, 2016 SANCTUS Worship Schedule Sundays: 7:45, 8:30, 10:00 a.m. ~ Tuesdays: 11:30 a.m. ~ Wednesdays in Lent: Noon & 6:30 p.m. Also available: Watch Sunday and Wednesday services at We welcome any guests worshipping with us today! Please fill out a Connection Card found in the pew rack and join us for fellowship between services. To learn more about Bethany s worship opportunities, Bible studies and various ministries, pick up a Life Together at Bethany booklet at the Welcome Center or download it from the welcome page of our website - Quarterly, Bethany hosts New Member Information Sessions and then receives new members. The next Information Session will be April 10 following worship services. The pastors welcome the chance to meet with you at any time to discuss inquiries regarding how Bethany s ministries might connect with your faith journey and interests. Together with the hosts of heaven we sing, Holy, Holy, Holy! 8 TODAY AT BETHANY Sunday Morning Schedule 7:45 a.m. Prayer Service with Holy Communion in the Chapel. 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion in the Sanctuary. 9:45 a.m. Preschool-5th grade Sunday School classes meet in the Great Hall for large group opening and then go to their respective Sunday School classrooms. Confirmation sessions meet from 8:30-9:45 a.m. and/or 10-11:15 a.m. in Room 412. High School Youth Small Groups meet from 8:30-10:00 a.m. and/or 10-11:30 a.m. in the Soul Schopp. 10:00 a.m. Adult Faith Formation in the Chapel. Pastor Carl Hansen leads us in exploring the symbols and imagery of the book of Revelation. Study guides are available at the Welcome Center for $10. (Please no food or beverages in this sacred space.) 10:00 a.m. Adult Faith Formation in Room Days of Giving Bible study & conversation with Pastors Deb, Russ & Brigette continues with today s topic Disaster & Faith. See the full schedule on page 11. Walk the Labyrinth downstairs in Room 412. King Sooper, Whole Foods, Starbucks, Sprouts, Tony's, and Safeway Gift Cards are available in the Narthex. Your purchase helps support our own Bethany Early Childhood Center! You receive the dollar amount on the gift card and BECC receives 5%. Thanks for your support! God s Garden: Trip to Zimbabwe Introductory planning meeting for a trip to visit God s Garden in August 2016 TODAY from 9:45-10:30 a.m. in the Library. Come for an update on the container and information about a proposed mission trip. Contact Jack Ganzar at Refuge, 6-7:00 p.m. in the Chapel This is a once a month worship for high school students created by high school students! Student leadership includes the Refuge Band and Peer Ministry Team which are supported by Jason Davis, Zach Rodasti and Tory Plucheck. Refuge is a safe place where students can come together just as they are and worship out loud in an authentic, creative and original way. While Refuge is geared toward our high school demographic, all are welcome. This month s theme is Generosity. See you there! THIS WEEK AT BETHANY... God s Word for the Week Bible Study, Room 2l0. Mondays at 9:00 a.m. & Tuesdays at 7:00 a.m. Empty Arms A Grandparents Grief Group If you are a grieving grandparent or know of someone who has experienced the loss of a grandchild through stillbirth, miscarriage or infant loss, no matter if recent or years ago, please consider joining this 5 week group. Facilitators are Pat Guittar & Pat Birznieks, who are also grieving grandparents. We will meet in the Bethany Library on Mondays from February 22 - March 21, 7:00-8:30 p.m. For more information or to register, please Pat Guittar at choirsbypat@comcast.net. Smoky Hill High School Choirs present their Masterworks Concert on Monday, February 22 at 7:15 p.m. For ticket information, visit or call XYZ (Xtra Years of Zip) Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays after 9:30 a.m. for coffee and snacks, to play games or to socialize. At 11:30 a.m. we worship in the Chapel then have lunch (suggested donation is $5). Our menu for February 23: shrimp scampi, pasta, salad, garlic bread, vegetable, dessert. We join as people of God as cells in the Body of Christ, nourished to do our part in God s mission. WORDS OF INSTITUTION...For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the mystery of our faith. Response: Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. LORD'S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. WELCOME TO THE LORD S TABLE Bethany welcomes all baptized Christians who have celebrated their first communion to join in receiving the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion. An usher will direct you when to come forward for the distribution. You will receive the wafer in your hand which you may then dip in the wine. A communion station with alcohol free wine and gluten free wafers is available at every communion service at the center aisle. You may return by the opposite aisle of your section. Those who would like to come forward but do not wish to commune may ask the server for a blessing. THE DISTRIBUTION 5

6 The Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) quotes John the Baptizer declaring Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) LAMB OF GOD PREACHER PRESIDER COMMUNITY WORSHIP LEADERS Pastor Russ Britton Pastor Brigette Weier (Pastor Debra is offsite leading the Lenten retreat group.) ASSISTING MINISTER Drew Culp ORGANIST Rick Seaton MUSICIANS Chancel Choir, Dr. James Kim, Director (8:30 a.m.) Caroler Choir, Jubilation Singers, Pat Guittar, Director (10:00 a.m.) LECTOR Laurie Jeddeloh (8:30 a.m.) Vicky Daub (10:00 a.m.) COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Kara Heilman, Jeanette Manos, Brian Tennien, Karen Tennien (8:30 a.m.) Larry Daub, Vicky Daub, Diane Herrmann (10:00 a.m.) SACRISTAN Laura Weber-Meyers ACOLYTES Avery Bergschneider, Ethan Hanson (8:30 a.m.) Cambell Miller, Jacob Rethman (10:00 a.m.) COMMUNION MUSIC Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart (8:30 a.m.) J.S. Bach COMMUNION HYMN By Your Hand You Feed Your People Hymn #469 USHERS SOUND TECHNICIANS Steve Barrett, James A. Flemming, Julie Friedemann, Kevin McAuliffe, Marilyn McConnell, Mark Mertz, Dick Metcalfe, Linda Starkey, Rich Waldmeier, Abigail Wiggans, Scott Wiggans (8:30 a.m.) Rebecca Collins, Ronald Kaminen, Dave Okes, Chuck Pattison, Pat Rethman, Bob Struthers, James Wahe (10:00 a.m.) Jake Newell, Ben Halvorson BLESSING PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Response: Amen. Response after prayer: Amen. FEBRUARY ALTAR GUILD NURSERY ATTENDANTS Gail Hipke, Joayne Hogoboom, Julie Holliday Kathy Shearer, Lori Braden Sending MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES* BENEDICTION SENDING HYMN Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing Hymn #544 DISMISSAL POSTLUDE The God of Abraham Praise Michael Burkhardt *All are invited to the Chapel to engage in a Lent Prayer Station based on today s texts. One Prayer Station will be added each week and will be available on Sunday mornings. Also you are invited to walk the Labyrinth as part of your Lenten journey. You will find it downstairs in Room 412. Liturgical Text, Worship Notes and Music: From Sundays and Seasons.com (c) 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #