Bethlehem Star October 2018

Transcription

1 Bethlehem Star October 2018 In a recent conversation with one of our saints I was truly blessed. It was absolutely unintended by her, it was just something she said. When I say unintended I don t mean that she said it in a nonchalant way, but more in a wistful manner of enjoying a warm remembrance whether I was listening or not. And that touched Bethlehem Lu ther an Ch u r ch my heart. What happened was that we were talking about church and what is happening this season, and she listened appreciatively. I described some of the recent services, how our education program will be getting going, how the Harvest dinner is being planned, and how the children come forward in the Communion service to be blessed, and she said she misses sitting in the sanctuary. She emphasized her weekly attendance; and I assured her that I remembered. I told her that I remember how she would be sitting about a two thirds of the way forward on the piano side, and she grinned. Yes, even quiet people of habit are noticed. I could leave the story there and start emphasizing the Third Commandment in some legalistic way. I could bemoan the national drift away from regular worship attendance across all denominations. I could use the moment to challenge us to higher commitment, greater devotion. I could try to say something about role models and how we should try to emulate those priorities and disciplines. I could hope to change the national trend which is being seen right in our own community too. And in a way, that might be useful. But it would not be true to our conversation. She wasn t telling me about her way of living a disciplined life. She was about to give me a testimony of spiritual truth. And the truth she would tell me is all about the deeper meaning of the Third Commandment, Remember the Sabbath Day, and keep it holy. Martin Luther gave us his explanation, We are to fear and love God, so that we do not despise preaching or God s word, but instead keep that word holy and gladly hear and learn it. Good explanation; but not deep enough. In the Bible, Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, the explanation refers to our need for rest, and part of the context is remembering the days of slavery when there was no rest. God blessed the Sabbath as a time to be renewed in restful remembrance of who we are in God s heart. Sabbath rest is a moment of liberty from all that would tie us down and make demands. I asked if I could quote her. She had said, It felt so good to be in the sanctuary, and have my talk with Jesus. That is the simple and deep meaning of the Third Commandment. Some people may hear the commandment as a legalistic requirement; and that is perhaps all they get. But they who have tasted the bread of heaven, who have sat at the well of living water, who have recognized him in the breaking of the bread, have so much more. Those who can give a testimony, it felt so good! understand the blessing of God s intention for Sabbath. Those who cherish their talk with Jesus, get why Sabbath is important to us. May we all be so blessed. Perhaps when we experience the blessing we can go one step further, and maybe each of us can find the words to express our testimony of our deep gratitude for God in our lives. Be a witness for Christ. Be a blessing for someone. Pastor Mark

2 Wednesday Worship continues at 6:00 p.m.. This is our wonderful casual worship service that includes more contemporary music as well as the participation of our youth. Holy Communion is served each week. There will be a meal prior to the worship service beginning September 26 th On Wednesday, October 24 we will have a very special meal and worship time. We will put a little more Reformation flavor into the food and music on that Wednesday. And we will be looking for some creative Jell-O dishes to enter into another contest. Worship Notes The Season of Creation wraps up on October 7 with the blessing of the animals. We are inviting all of our children to bring their favorite stuffed animal to worship and participate in the blessing of all animals. The Benedicite Minnesota adapted by Rev. Christopherson has sparked a number of fun conversations about God s diverse creation. Some of us are still having a difficult time praising God for mosquitoes, even though we grudgingly recognize their place on the web of life. The next season of worship in October is our time of Reformation and themes appointed in the Season after the Pentecost. In November we will use a stewardship theme to guide of worship services. The Annual Stewardship emphasis Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love will begin on November 4. Men s Retreat at Wilderness October 12 & 13. The Straight Story, a 1999 movie about a man from Laurens, Iowa will provide the grist for our discussions of faith at this our fourth annual Bethlehem Men s Faith Retreat. There will be great food, great music, and we hope for great weather again especially for the Montreal canoe excursion. $75.00 covers our four meals, one night lodging and program. Sign up soon. Homestead Weekly Bible Readings every Monday at 2:00 p.m. As we have done so in the past we will hear the worship texts for the upcoming week and reflect together about what they mean in our daily living.

3 Transformed by Grace, Faith and Love The theme for this year s stewardship emphasis is Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love. We will begin this emphasis on November 4, As God s people, we have been given the high honor of being his stewards. As his stewards, we are called to manage faithfully all that we ve been entrusted with according to God s will and benefit. Because of God s generous gifts of grace, faith, and love, we can accomplish all that God asks us to do. God works in and through us as we become his hands, feet, and mouth. Each week during this three-week emphasis in November, we will be focusing on one of the three virtues, grace, faith, and love. In week one, our focus is on God s undeserved kindness and love which the Bible calls grace. God s grace comes from God through Jesus and his work for us. This saving grace also enables and motivates us to be God s stewards, using our time, talents, and money in ways that glorify God. In week two, we are reminded that it is through faith that we have access into God s grace and a new relationship with him. Through faith, God changes us, and we are born anew of him. Not only does faith justify us and give us peace with God (Romans 5:1), we are told by James and other writers that faith produces works (James 2:18). Faith leads to action. Through faith, we are empowered to fulfill God s purposes. Our deeds as stewards are evidence of our faith. The third week we will focus on the virtue of love. Love ought to follow faith. Love seeks the welfare of others. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:11-12). God s love in Christ enables and prompts us to give freely of our time, talents, and treasures to help others and extend his kingdom. Your Stewardship Committee Jell-O Contest October 24 at the 5:00 p.m. meal. Mission of the Month This month thinking about Hurricane Florence and other disasters we will be contributing toward Lutheran Disaster Response. LDR writes: As a church, we re ready to stand by our neighbors as they recover from the hurricanes. Lutheran Disaster Response is assessing the situation and coordinating with synods and affiliated social ministry organizations in the areas that are in the path of these storms. Your gifts will be used entirely (100 percent) for direct response until it is complete. Together, we can help provide immediate and long-lasting support for those in path of these hurricanes. Please write Hurricane Response on your donation. JOIN US FOR DINNER ON SEPTEMBER 26th The youth that attended the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Houston this summer want to cook you dinner and share with you their stories from the gathering. Join us on the 26th at 5:00 and hear how these young people grew in their faith through their experiences in Houston

4 Youth and Family News Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. Mark 9:37 As we prepare to start our youth classes for the 2018/19 year, I'm reminded how blessed we are to have a congregation that embraces and lifts up our young members. Your support of the BLC youth and family programs is greatly appreciated. On behalf of all our youth, "Thank You!" Youth Faith Formation Classes: Sunday School, ages 3-5th grade, starts in the worship service at 10:00 a.m. with the Children's Sermon and then moves upstairs to their own space with song, activity and curriculum that follows the same Bible lessons that guide weekly worship. The entire family is being nurtured by the same word of God week by week. Wednesday school, for our 3-5th grade students, starts October 3rd. Please see the enclosed informational letter and enrollment form for more information. Our confirmation classes, for our 6-8th grade students, also start on October 3rd. Confirmation classes will be held from 7-8 pm on Wednesdays. There is an all congregation meal at 5:00 and worship at 6:00. Exciting News For Senior High Families! We are excited to announce that Brooke and Brad Shannon will be leading our Senior High Youth Group this year! Below is a note from the Shannon's: Hello Senior High Parents! We wanted to invite your kids to be a part of the Youth Group this year. We will be meeting Wednesday nights from 6:00-7:30pm at Bethlehem for kids 9-12 grades. There is a meal served at 5pm they are welcome to join. Our first night is October 3rd. Our names are Brad & Brooke Shannon and we re looking forward to teaching Youth Group this year. We are new to the community and have enjoyed attending & getting more involved with Bethlehem. We moved here a couple years ago as the new Directors for Adventurous Christians up the Trail. We have three kids - 8th, 7th & 3rd. Prior to moving here Brad was the Program Director at Covenant Pines Bible Camp before heading to North Park Seminary in Chicago (undergrad at Bethel); he then served in the church as Pastor for 20 years in the Duluth area and in the Cities. Brooke grew up in Colorado and attended CU Boulder. She has been a volunteer with youth for over 20 years and spent 3 years training and serving as a Youth Director out of college. We both have a heart for youth ministry and hope to be a part of serving in a small way to build a program with Pastor Mark & Cara. Please share and encourage your high school youth to be a part of Bethlehem s Youth Group this year. If you have any questions, you can reach us at bradandbrooke@msn.com or Thanks!

5 Transformed by Grace, Faith and Love The theme for this year s stewardship emphasis is Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love. We will begin this emphasis on November 4, As God s people, we have been given the high honor of being his stewards. As his stewards, we are called to manage faithfully all that we ve been entrusted with according to God s will and benefit. Because of God s generous gifts of grace, faith, and love, we can accomplish all that God asks us to do. God works in and through us as we become his hands, feet, and mouth. Each week during this three-week emphasis in November, we will be focusing on one of the three virtues, grace, faith, and love. In week one, our focus is on God s undeserved kindness and love which the Bible calls grace. God s grace comes from God through Jesus and his work for us. This saving grace also enables and motivates us to be God s stewards, using our time, talents, and money in ways that glorify God. In week two, we are reminded that it is through faith that we have access into God s grace and a new relationship with him. Through faith, God changes us, and we are born anew of him. Not only does faith justify us and give us peace with God (Romans 5:1), we are told by James and other writers that faith produces works (James 2:18). Faith leads to action. Through faith, we are empowered to fulfill God s purposes. Our deeds as stewards are evidence of our faith. The third week we will focus on the virtue of love. Love ought to follow faith. Love seeks the welfare of others. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:11-12). God s love in Christ enables and prompts us to give freely of our time, talents, and treasures to help others and extend his kingdom. Your Stewardship Committee Jell-O Contest October 24 at the 5:00 p.m. meal.

6 B e thle h em Luther an C h ur ch 417 W. 1st Ave. Box 638 Grand Marais, MN Phone: Non Profit Org. US Postage Paid Permit #3 Grand Marais, MN blc@boreal.org Belonging to Christ, Sharing Christ on the North Shore and beyond. Mark Your Calendars! HARVEST DINNER Once again, the Women of Bethlehem are preparing for our ANNUAL Harvest Dinner to be held on Friday, September 28th; serving from 5:00 to 7PM, in the Social Room. To keep our expenses down, we will accept donations of butter, cabbage, home-grown carrots, many pickled beets and other veggies, home made breads, and apples for the Apple dessert. Please call the office or Gwen (leave message) about your plans to donate any of these items. Cost of the Dinner: still $12 Adults, Children ages 6-10 $5 ages 5yrs and under-free HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL!