May 2017 March. Serving Others, Engaging the World, Making disciples for Jesus. spring####

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spring#### Serving Others, Engaging the World, Making disciples for Jesus 2521 Pass Road Biloxi, MS 39531 Office: 228-388-1226 Web: www.bethelelca.com Email: bethellutheran@gmail.

1 spring#### Serving Others, Engaging the World, Making disciples for Jesus 2521 Pass Road Biloxi, MS Office: Web: Office hours: Mon-Weds-Fri 8:30 11:30 am Alleluia! He is risen! It s finally Easter season and the church is filled with songs of Alleluias and praises! Death doesn t have the last word: life does! Alleluia! Gone are the long, dark days of Lent. Gone are the days of emptiness and loss of hope during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Gone are the times of remorse and penance. There is no need for a confession these next few Sundays. Our sins have been forgiven at the Cross of Christ. There is no need for a Kyrie, a sung prayer for God s mercy. God s mercy has been evidences through the Resurrection. Amen and Alleluia! Easter season is a week of weeks. We will keep the altar dressed in white, sing songs of great joy, greet each other in words of open welcome and peace. The world is right again. Our relationship with God has been brought to fullness for the simple reason that God s love is true and complete. God is not willing to abandoned us to our own devises. God s love for us is that we enter into unity with him through his Son! Finally, we can say, It s OK. I m OK. I am loved just as I am. Life gets tough, but in the final verse my song is and will always be, Alleluia! He is risen. Beloved, as you read this, I am on vacation. I will miss you, and I promise to pray for you. I know that Christ will be worshiped and that your days will be ones of joy! Pr. Barbara Hunter will lead worship for you. She is a gifted woman of God, and loves the Lord and his church with all of her heart. Be at peace, Children of God! I will see you later this month. Alleluia! He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Pr. Barb May 2017 March 1

2 KEEPING THE SANCTUARY Recently, there has been some food and drink items left in the sanctuary. Cans of energy drinks, sodas and food items have littered our place of worship. Let s remember that this space has been sanctified to God, and that food and beverages are to be consumed in the fellowship hall. In Christ, Worship Committee STEWARDSHIP The last bill for this month has been paid and in the next mail is the first bill for next month. The grass was mowed last week but it is already looking shaggy. The workmen will be here this week to repair the crack in the chimney and the technicians will come to overhaul the air conditioner for the summer. The children reared in this house are making plans to visit with their children. This house on this property on this city street was here before I came and it will be here after I move on, but for over forty years it has been my family s responsibility to care for it and the people who enter it. Stewardship a church word for taking responsibility for all that God has trusted us to manage and care for. As God s stewards, we care for our homes and our families. As God s stewards, we care for this House of Worship. As God s stewards at Bethel, we share the responsibility to care for this property, this structure, and the people served in and out of this church. Yes, next month s bills are already coming in, but look what has been accomplished in the last several weeks. Outside, the parking lot has been made safer, the grass is mowed and edged, and the mowing tools are stored in an attractive shed. The roof has been patched and inside, the ceiling repaired. The building has been made more secure, plants are watered regularly, and the periodic deep cleaning has supplemented the regular custodial care. The sound system has been repaired and the microphones work. An empty Sanctuary wall is being filled with crosses. People are being cared for. Food is served at potlucks and celebrations. Food is given to the hungry knocking at the door and seated at Loaves and Fishes. The Body and Blood of our Saviour is prepared and served each Sunday and when requested. People we know and don t know are prayed for by name, occupation or situation. The building is open for groups with special needs. Finished quilts are piling up ready to be sent where needed. 2

3 The Altar is prepared. The Cross and the Light are carried in. God s Word is preached and taught to His children of all ages. Our Triune God is worshiped through prayer and music and readings and sermon. Bethel was here before many of us came and, God willing, it will be here after we move on. For now, as God s stewards we are, with His help, caring for all He has put in our trust. PROPERTY NEWS Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The sound system, the outdoor lights, and the re-keying of all the locks are done. Sincerely, Dot Lichtenberg FINANCIAL NEWS Receipts for the month of March were $9,665.36, expenses were $10, for a shortage of $ We are behind for the year by $7, Our biggest expense in March was the purchase of a new computer set-up for the office. I will be calling a meeting of the finance committee soon for a recommendation as to what to do with the money received from the sale of the Piedmont stock. Kerry BRING THESE ITEMS TO CHURCH Empty ink jet cartridges (no toner cartridges) Aluminum cans Large size paper grocery bags Full size bars of soap Items for the Bethel Free Health Clinic Food items for the food pantry Food items for camper bags for the homeless Mardi Gras beads 3

MAY RUMMAGE SALE *IT IS ONCE AGAIN TIME FOR THE RUMMAGE SALE* The sale dates are *Friday, May 19 from 2pm till 5pm* and *Saturday,* *May 20 from 8am till 1pm. Everyone's help is needed for this sale.

Set-up and pricing begins Monday morning, *May 15* and continues the rest of the week. Help will be needed for both sale days.

4 MAY RUMMAGE SALE *IT IS ONCE AGAIN TIME FOR THE RUMMAGE SALE* The sale dates are *Friday, May 19 from 2pm till 5pm* and *Saturday,* *May 20 from 8am till 1pm. Everyone's help is needed for this sale.* On *Sunday, May 14* after fellowship time, all chairs need to be cleared from the Fellowship Hall and the extra tables need to be moved in. Set-up and pricing begins Monday morning, *May 15* and continues the rest of the week. Help will be needed for both sale days. Saturday after the sale, the Fellowship Hall and the rest of the church need to be readied for Sunday's worship service. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex and you can always come help whenever you are available. Your help is needed and your unwanted treasures are also needed. You can bring your sale items the early part of the week of the sale or you can bring them before the sale and place them in the room marked "Superintendent's Office". BLCW HAPPENINGS As usual there is lots going on so mark your calendars: *May 7* is the *Mother's Day Celebration* honoring all women and all mothers. You are asked to bring a party food/finger food to share to add to the table. The celebration begins immediately after the Worship Service. Please plan to attend and help honor the wonderful women in our congregation. *May 15-19*: Set up for rummage sale. (See separate article elsewhere in this Newsletter regarding the rummage sale.) *May 16* beginning at 6:30pm is the monthly Bible study. May's hostess is Marie Bartels. All women of the church are invited and are urged to attend. *May 19* from 2-5pm: Rummage Sale *May 20* from 8am-1pm: Rummage Sale *May 20* after 1pm is clean up after the sale. 4

NEWS FROM THE WORSHIP COMMITTEE The Worship Committee met on April 19, 2017.

5 NEWS FROM THE WORSHIP COMMITTEE The Worship Committee met on April 19, The members present were Carol Cheatham, Pastor Gibson, Stanley Hastings, Jessie Stever, Fran Supple, and Norm Venden, Council Representative. Norm opened the meeting with prayer. The following was discussed: The Lenten and Easter seasons were reviewed. Since April 30 th is a fifth Sunday a pot luck dinner will be held after church. At this time, we will again remember and celebrate the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation which will occur in Dr. Martin Luther appreciated and loved art. To celebrate his love of art members of the congregation are asked to bring any form of art such as pictures, certificates, books containing art, bibles. By October, we hope to have a beautiful and informative display of Dr. Martin Luther and the Reformation. The meeting closed with the members praying the Lord s Prayer together. The next meeting will be Wednesday, May 17, at 3:30 p.m. WORSHIPING IN MAY 50 DAYS OF EASTER Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia In the season of Easter we continue to hear these familiar words as we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. The liturgical color of the season of Easter is white (with some gold). Easter is a continuous celebration of the resurrection which marks the defeat of sin, death and evil by Risen Lord Jesus. May is an exciting time for our church congregation as Bethel was organized on May 23, In conclusion, we ask that all members and friends of Bethel remember in prayer our leaders and all serving in the active military and all veterans. Also, we ask you to remember our worship life at Bethel in your prayers as we begin our 52nd year in service to our Lord. The Worship Committee says 5

LENT Lent started with our Ash Wednesday services at Noon and 7:00 p.m. Thanks to all who attended and participated in these services. Lent then continued with our mid-week suppers and services.

Projects for each week were presented and displayed in the fellowship hall. Thanks to who to all who attended the services and completed a project.

6 LENT Lent started with our Ash Wednesday services at Noon and 7:00 p.m. Thanks to all who attended and participated in these services. Lent then continued with our mid-week suppers and services. Thanks to everyone who provided soup, sandwiches, and desserts each week. Lenten worship services were held each week after supper. We followed the guidelines set up for celebrating Reformation 500. Projects for each week were presented and displayed in the fellowship hall. Thanks to who to all who attended the services and completed a project. HOLY WEEK Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and Jesus entry into Jerusalem. Thanks to choir and to all those who attended and participated in this service. Thanks to everyone who had parts in reading the gospel from Palm Sunday to our Lord s crucifixion. On Maundy Thursday, at the direction of Pastor Gibson, we celebrated a Seder meal. We thank those who participated in the service, brought food for the meal, and to Marshall Schwartz who offered Hebrew prayers during the meal. More than 50 people attended this meal and service. On Good Friday we observed the day our Lord was crucified. During this solemn service the altar was stripped. EASTER There are so many to thank for our beautiful Easter service. If you fall in any of these categories, just know that we thank you and that are appreciated. 1. Music 2. Providing flowers for our flowering cross and providing lilies 3. Worship assistants 4. Those who prepared and served the Easter breakfast. As you can conclude, it is impossible to thank everyone individually. Please accept our thanks and appreciation for everyone s participation all these services and meals. SOUTHERN MISS GULF COAST CIVIC CHORALE The Southern Miss Gulf Coast Civic Chorale will present two concerts in May called "Broadway Traditions". The first concert will be Friday, May 12 at the Fine Arts Auditorium of the Jeff Davis Campus in Gulfport (off Debuys Rd) at 7:30 pm. The second concert will be Sunday, May 14 at the USM Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach at 3 pm. Both concerts are free- --and it's Broadway music! Please note the change of usual locations for our concerts. 6

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BETHEL S MISSION STATEMENT Serving Others, Engaging the World, Making disciples for Jesus 2017 BETHEL DIRECTORIES The new Bethel directories were recently distributed into everyone s mail folder.

8 BETHEL S MISSION STATEMENT Serving Others, Engaging the World, Making disciples for Jesus 2017 BETHEL DIRECTORIES The new Bethel directories were recently distributed into everyone s mail folder. If you need additional copies, please let us know. EASTER EGG HUNT WAS A SUCCESS! Thanks to all that participated! We had 40 kids! Thanks, Holly LOSTAND FOUND A pair of reading glasses has been found. See or call Cecilia to get them. Pr. Barb 8

9 MAY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES Dear Lord, Thank you for the time You have given us with our loved ones. Please bless the coming year as we celebrate with the ones still here and honor those who are now with You. Guide us as we treasure these memories and make new ones. Amen. Birthdays 06 Pam Kissel 07 Laura Vierling 10 Ronnie Pietz 13 Kevin Kissel 19 Betty Wilson 24 Linda Lorenz Baptismal Birthdays Dathan Ladner Darrell Wilson Lisa Lewis Sue French Joan Gist Norm Venden Yard Maintenance Brian Pietz Nathan Pietz Dorothy Fox Rick Stickler Gil Picard Anniversaries 19 Bill & Joan Gist 23 Fran and Michael Supple Flower Donations Please consider donating flowers in celebration of marriages, anniversaries, baptisms and birthdays, or to say Congratulations or Thank you. You may sign up on the flower chart posted in the Narthex. Your donation will be included in the Sunday bulletin and/or here in the Beacon. After the morning worship, you may take home the flowers you have donated or, if you prefer, the blooms can be delivered to shut-ins, hospitals, or other facilities, bringing beauty and community to those who cannot be physically present in church. Call Cecilia at the office for more details, Date 05/07 Flowers provided by Sam & Evelyn Reyer, in honor of Gerald Vierling and Laura s Birthday 05/14 05/21 Jimmie Hanna For Sydney Hanna 05/28 9

MAY WEEKLY HELPERS May Council Person/ Teller Cassie Pietz May Altar Care Dorothy Fox Date Communion Assistants Lectors Ushers Acolytes Crucifers Refreshments Hymn Board 5/7 Holly Kissel Dorothy Fox

10 MAY WEEKLY HELPERS May Council Person/ Teller Cassie Pietz May Altar Care Dorothy Fox Date Communion Assistants Lectors Ushers Acolytes Crucifers Refreshments Hymn Board 5/7 Holly Kissel Dorothy Fox Carol Cheatham Glenda Rogers 5/14 Dorothy Fox Norm Venden Jessie Stever Paula Wilson 5/21 Jessie Stever Sarah Koehn Kerry Bartels Wes Cole 5/28 Kerry Bartels Wes Cole Sam Reyer Robert Boston Selena Suaste Aden Hernandez Larry Aldrich Selena Suaste Antonio Hernandez Larry Aldrich Sharon Selena Suaste Nicolas Suaste Robert Boston Martin Lisa Lewis Robert Boston 10

Serving Others, Engaging the World, Making disciples for Jesus. January 2017

spring#### Serving Others, Engaging the World, Making disciples for Jesus 2521 Pass Road Biloxi, MS 39531 Office: 228-388-1226 Web: www.bethelelca.com Email: bethellutheran@gmail.com Office hours: Mon-Weds-Fri