Cross Ways. On The Mark. January From Our Interim Pastor: Thought for the Month: When you get to your wit s end, you ll find God lives there.

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Beaver Lake Lutheran Church January 2015 Grow, Go & Glorify God From Our Interim Pastor: On The Mark Time for another update on our transition.

You can feel good about the work they have done on your behalf and for the gospel. And the journey continues.

1 Beaver Lake Lutheran Church January 2015 Grow, Go & Glorify God From Our Interim Pastor: On The Mark Time for another update on our transition. Our Transition Team and our Congregational Council met together to complete the excellent work that the Transition Team had already done on our Ministry Site Profile. They had two meetings that each lasted about 2 hours. A lot of time and thought went into this profile. There were good questions, good responses and overall I would give the process an A. Your leaders talked about important, and sometimes personal, issues and they did it with respect, attention to detail and a desire to serve the greater good. You can feel good about the work they have done on your behalf and for the gospel. And the journey continues. Our next steps will be: Copies of the MSP (our congregation s profile information based upon your surveys) will be available shortly after Christmas so that you can read them. We will have discussion opportunities between services in January. On January 25 th, at our annual meeting, we will recommend the MSP and elect a call committee. Then the MSP will be submitted to the ELCA. On Sunday, February 22 nd we will have our Town Hall Meeting with Bishop Lull and Pastor Lamont Koerner, Bishop s Assistant. Thanks for your partnership in God s work!! Pastor Mike Peterson, interim Thank you!!! Dearest friends at Beaver Lake Lutheran, Your warmth, hospitality and generosity have truly blessed our lives. Ever since we began working together your enthusiasm for sharing has been an inspiration to us. And now at Christmas time your gifts to us have warmed our hearts. Thank you for the many cards and gifts that you have given us. You will always hold a cherished place in our hearts. God bless you this Christmas season, throughout 2015 and far into God s glorious future! Your friends in Christ, Pastor Mike and Natalia Peterson Jesus said: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 Thought for the Month: When you get to your wit s end, you ll find God lives there.

Answers to Bible Quiz: 1. Saul; 2. David; 3. Rehoboam; 4. Assyria; 5. Ahab; 6. Joash; 7. Jeroboam I; 8. Solomon; 9. 1000; 10. Zimri. Page 2 From the Sty Generosity is Contagious! That is really true!

As she was leaving the office there were so many tears in her eyes that she could not speak. Your generosity has inspired others to share their gifts with us.

You eagerly share your time, your smiles, your baking, your singing and playing of instruments, your listening ears, your many talents (this list is virtually endless)!

2 Answers to Bible Quiz: 1. Saul; 2. David; 3. Rehoboam; 4. Assyria; 5. Ahab; 6. Joash; 7. Jeroboam I; 8. Solomon; ; 10. Zimri. Page 2 From the Sty Generosity is Contagious! That is really true! In this time of Christmas as we remember the generosity of God it truly inspires us to give. Today I saw a mother carrying Christmas presents out of our church and putting them into her car. As she was leaving the office there were so many tears in her eyes that she could not speak. Your generosity has inspired others to share their gifts with us. It is good for me to look at our financial picture and thank you for your generosity and as important as it is to pay our bills your financial giving is really a small part of your overall giving. You eagerly share your time, your smiles, your baking, your singing and playing of instruments, your listening ears, your many talents (this list is virtually endless)! Kent Nerburn said it right True giving is not an economic exchange; it is a generative act. It does not subtract from what we have; it multiplies the effect we can have in the world. Thanks be to God whose giving knows no ending! Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting of Beaver Lake Lutheran Congregation will be held on Sunday, January 25 th. We will have one worship service that day, at 10:00 am. Worship will be followed by our business meeting. Please, please all voting members are encouraged to attend. We have important church business that needs our attention. The Annual Meeting will be followed by a pot-luck luncheon. Ps council is looking for a couple people to coordinate the pot-luck luncheon. If you can help please talk to a council member. Christmas Giving Tree Thank you to those who generously contributed to the Christmas Giving Tree this Christmas. You helped make a joyous and blessed Christmas for the families and children who received your gifts. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are greatly appreciated. Thank You!! First Communion Classes First Communion instruction will be offered during Lent (February/ March) for 2 nd graders or anyone older who has missed the opportunity for classes. Then, on Palm Sunday, March 29 th, the first communicants will participate in their First Communion.

3 Page 3 BLLC Financial Update November 30 th Generosity is Contagious! Good News! Adjusted YTD Income less Expense Last year at this time we were -$520 Off Target (Down from -9,438 last month) -$5,384 Off Target and ended the year on target. We improved a lot in November when we include the Fall Fair proceeds of $6,122 and a $3,000 year end offering gift. Thank you! Thank you! Thanks also to the Card Ladies and everyone else who is putting in extra to get us back on track. We still have a lot of bills to pay in December, so our offering income needs be strong to keep us on target. We don t have any other special projects like the Fall Fair to help us financially this year. It s up to us and the time to act is NOW! We need to be financially strong to successfully complete the transition we face and continue to Grow, Go and Glorify God. Financial Facts: Our gas bill for the past year was $13,555, up $2,652 from the prior year and our electric bill was $12,279, down $313 from the prior year. Lighting projects to cut our electric use are paying off. The cold winter last year had many negative effects, including the heating costs. THE FOURTH WISE MAN Here is a story I hope that you will enjoy. * The King will reply: I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 The gospels do not tell us how many wise men or magi journeyed to Bethlehem following the star. Popular tradition holds that there were three Caspar, Melchior and Bathasar. But there is also a tradition of a fourth wise man, named Artaban. As Artaban prepared to set our and follow the star, he took with him a sapphire, a ruby and a pearl of great price as gifts to the newborn king, whenever He was to be found. On his way to join the other wise men, Artaban stopped to care for a sick traveler. If he stayed to help, however, he would miss the rendezvous with his friends. He stayed, and the delay was just enough to make him late for the departure of the caravan. Now Artaban was along, and he needed transportation and supplies to cross the desert. So he sold the sapphire to purchase camels and supplies. He was saddened because the King would never have this precious gem. Artaban journeyed onward and reached Bethlehem, but again he was too late. There were soldiers everywhere to carry out Herod s command that the male children should be slain. Artaban, therefore, took out the brilliant ruby to bribe the captain and save the children in the village in which he was staying. Children were saved, mothers rejoiced; but the ruby, also, would not reach the King. For 33 years Artaban searched in vain and finally found his way to Jerusalem on the day several crucifixions were to take place. Artaban hurried towards Calvary in order to bribe the roman guard with the precious pearl and save the man called Jesus. Something told him that this was the King of Kings for whom he had been searching all his life. Just then, a young woman was being dragged along the street toward the slave market, called out to Artaban, pleading for help. With only a slight hesitation, he gave the last jewel, the pearl of great price, for her ransom. Now Artaban had none of the precious gems he was going to present to the king. Reaching the place where the crucifixions were to occur he was heartbroken when he saw that he could do nothing to help Jesus. But then something remarkable happened. Jesus looked over toward Artaban and said to him: Don t be brokenhearted, Artaban. You ve been helping me all your life. When I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, when I was naked you clothed me, when I was a stranger you took me in. Some say Artaban never found Christ. Others say he was the wisest of the wise men. (This story was first printed in the January 2010 edition of the )

Page 4 Children s Christmas Program On Sunday, December 14 th at the 11:00 Praise Service, the Sunday School children and youth performed a marvelous reenactment of the angels proclaiming the good

A big THANK YOU to all the participants -- Shepherds: Kim Johansen, Brianna Lange, and Amanda Reed; Angels: Brianna Cross, Kyndra Davis, and Lucy Hilliard; Sheep: Jada Xiong, Saraya Xiong, Liam

Many thanks to Deb Schoenberger for the musical accompaniment, to Steven Lowe for his technical expertise in lighting, to the parents and grandparents for their support and help in rehearsals, and to

We continue studying the Gospel of Mark.verse by verse, scene by scene! Bible Quiz The Kings of Israel 1. Who was the first King of Israel? 2. Who was his successor? 3.

Which foreign power did this: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, or Persia? 5. Which king was married to Jezebel? 6.

4 Page 4 Children s Christmas Program On Sunday, December 14 th at the 11:00 Praise Service, the Sunday School children and youth performed a marvelous reenactment of the angels proclaiming the good news of Jesus birth to the shepherds. A big THANK YOU to all the participants -- Shepherds: Kim Johansen, Brianna Lange, and Amanda Reed; Angels: Brianna Cross, Kyndra Davis, and Lucy Hilliard; Sheep: Jada Xiong, Saraya Xiong, Liam Lange, Teddy Hilliard; Star: Ben Richardson; Narrator: Julie Johansen. Many thanks to Deb Schoenberger for the musical accompaniment, to Steven Lowe for his technical expertise in lighting, to the parents and grandparents for their support and help in rehearsals, and to all who came to share in the children s excitement. Memorials Given: For: John Waalen By: Lucille Schmidt Wednesday morning Bible Class We begin again on January 7 th at 9:30 am in the front lounge. We continue studying the Gospel of Mark.verse by verse, scene by scene! Bible Quiz The Kings of Israel 1. Who was the first King of Israel? 2. Who was his successor? 3. Under whose kingship was Israel formally split into two kingdoms? (Hint: His name begins with a R.) 4. Israel (the northern kingdom) was taken into captivity in the eighth century BC. Which foreign power did this: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, or Persia? 5. Which king was married to Jezebel? 6. Which king of Israel fired only three arrows of victory out of a window in the presence of Elisha? 7. Who was the first king to preside over Israel (the northern kingdom) after the split? 8. Who was the third king of Israel before the split? 9. Approximately how many wives and concubines did this man have? 10. Which Israelite king reigned only seven days? (Answers to Bible Quiz: Page 2) Social Seniors January, 2015 We are starting a new year and I am hoping that we can find some fun things to do. We will try to keep the third Tuesday of every month for whatever activity we have, so please try to keep that date open. On Tuesday, January 20 th, we are having a FREE LUNCH brought to our church (the lunch will be paid for from our Social Seniors acct.). And guess what? Pastor Mike and friends will lead us in a sing-a-long of some classic folk songs. Come join the fun. I am certainly looking forward to that and I hope you are too. There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board, so please sign up as we will have to know how many to plan on for the lunch. (This lunch is for seniors only) Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be. Deadline for Publications Crossway articles are due by the 20th of each month Info for weekly bulletin is due by noon each Thursday Electronic content can be ed to jdhilpert@comcast.net. Do we have your Correct Address? Please let us know when you have a new address, phone number or address. This will help us with our church directory, other publications and mailings. Thank You!

Page 5 By: Deb Houtkooper Celiac Disease vs Gluten Sensitivity A newer term, Gluten Free is advertised everywhere these days. What is gluten? What is celiac disease?

Here in America, which is different than many other countries, gluten is found not just in bread products but in things that may surprise you: soy sauce, ketchup, salad dressings, licorice and some

Over time, this reaction produces inflammation that damages the small intestine's lining and prevents absorption of some nutrients (malabsorption).

5 Page 5 By: Deb Houtkooper Celiac Disease vs Gluten Sensitivity A newer term, Gluten Free is advertised everywhere these days. What is gluten? What is celiac disease? Is celiac disease the same as gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity? I d like to address those questions here for you. Gluten is a specific protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Here in America, which is different than many other countries, gluten is found not just in bread products but in things that may surprise you: soy sauce, ketchup, salad dressings, licorice and some lunch meat and hot dogs. If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction produces inflammation that damages the small intestine's lining and prevents absorption of some nutrients (malabsorption). The intestinal damage can cause weight loss, bloating and sometimes diarrhea. Eventually, your brain, nervous system, bones, liver and other organs can be deprived of vital nourishment. Celiac disease is diagnosed by a physician using blood tests and possibly an endoscopy where a scope is inserted into the small intestine to obtain a biopsy (small tissue sample). Those diagnosed with celiac disease must make a big change in their diet by rigorously avoiding any foods containing gluten. For whatever reason, America uses gluten in far more products than other countries, so those wishing to avoid gluten must be constantly on guard and aware of what they re eating. You may hear many people say that eating a gluten free diet makes them feel much better. These folks may have gluten intolerance or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) which is very different from having an autoimmune disorder such as celiac disease. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity may benefit from a gluten-free diet. But people with celiac disease must be gluten-free to prevent symptoms and disease-related complications. Currently, there is no scientifically valid test to diagnose non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and research is under way to develop one. Avoiding foods that contain gluten may make some people feel better if they have gluten sensitivity, but eating a gluten free diet is not a healthier option for those without gluten sensitivity issues. You should see your doctor if you have symptoms of gluten intolerance, such as bloating, gas, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Your physician can order tests to determine if you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Info from Mayo Clinic, WebMD Lutheran World Relief Quilting & Welcome all Crafters! Sponsored by the Health and Wellness Committee On Saturday, January 10 at 9:00 am in the Education Hall, we will meet to begin another great year of quilting to benefit Lutheran World Relief. We can always use more fabric, batting and sheets so if you have any of these items you are no longer using, please bring them to the church office. We have invited members from the Holy Cross congregation to join us, and several of them are already very excited to come, so plan to meet new friends! All crafters are welcome to join us it is a very fun and creative atmosphere. We will share a pot-luck lunch around noon. Please plan to join us and invite your friends and neighbors all are welcome! Happy New Year!

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Cross Ways. Grow, Go & Glorify God

Cross Ways. Grow, Go & Glorify God Beaver Lake Lutheran Church July 2017 Grow, Go & Glorify God From Our Pastor: As I hope you are aware, we have a pretty incredible event coming this fall: the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the