BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH. A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 79 Brooklyn Street PO Box 606 Portville, NY 14770

Transcription

1 BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 79 Brooklyn Street PO Box 606 Portville, NY (716) bethelportville@gmail.com Websites: (congregation) (synod) (ELCA) Worship Service Sundays at 9:00am; Sunday School at 10:15am God s work. Our hands. In case of a pastoral emergency, please contact the church at: or Pastor Marie Meeks at Pastor Derek Cheek cell # In looking to the coming year, remember that rooted deeply and firmly within scripture and our Christian tradition is the vision that we are expected to be faithful stewards of all we are and all we have. Those last few words are from the January issue of Stewardship: We are expected to be faithful stewards of all we are and all we have. Now that is a challenge, isn t it? The newsletter reminds us that since we are starting a New Year, some Christians will be making resolutions. And since it quotes one Christian who is making some vows to strengthen his spiritual life, it surely will help us all to know those vows. One vow is to spend time with the Lord daily. It is spiritually helpful to spend time in prayer, vowing to keep in touch with our Creator. Many Christians read portions of the Bible daily. That holy Word offers great wisdom for living a fruitful and meaningful life. Another resolution is to serve God by using one s talent and time. Let God lead you to the needy people in your community. Did you know that the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, St. Vincent Depaul s charity work, and Habitat for Humanity were all started by Christian groups? The point is that Christians are intended to JANUARY 2016 work in the hurting places of the world. God uses people to be Christ s servants; people like us who will dare to be good stewards of our time, our talents, and our resources wherever there is a need. Let s get to work! Pray First! - For all service men and women, and their families, especially Casey McCarthy, Tyler McCarthy and Kendra Linn. For Christ to be made known in our companion synods Zimbabwe and Zambia, and our partner synod Central/Southern Illinois Synod. For the Franciscan community at Mt. Irenaeus and the Burkhart Retreat Center for Life retreats in our local area. For our Bishops, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton (ELCA) and John Macholz Upstate New York Synod), Assistants to the Bishop Dave Preisinger, Mary Johnson, and Dean Daniel Rumfelt. For the mission congregations in our synod Organic Faith in Amherst and Todos los Hijos de Dios in Amsterdam. For the pastors and congregations in our Southwestern Conference and for our congregation council leaders President Bill Graves, Secretary Linda Scott, Treasurer Doug Ploetz, Vice President Ruth Brewer and members Caroline Miller, Donald Linn, Jerry Maerten and Bryan Hatch. For our sister congregation, Peace Lutheran and their ministry in Slidell, LA for the ministry of ELCMA Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia. For area ministries: Genesis House, Portville Community Food Pantry, and Interfaith Caregivers.

2 PLEASE SEE BULLETIN BOARD outside the sanctuary for a COMPLETE SECRETARY S REPORT. Choir practice is held Sunday mornings at 7:45am. All are welcome to join. No audition necessary Council Member Bill Graves Ruth Brewer Linda Scott Doug Ploetz Ruth Brewer Caroline Miller Jerry Maerten Bryan Hatch Don Linn Committee Assignment Council President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Worship and Music & Christian Education Stewardship Outreach/Evangelism Fellowship Property Prayer Chain: If you have need of prayer, we have an prayer chain. Just call Bev Robinson phone number or at grandmagee7@verizon.net. We NEED people to sign up as worship servants. We are in need of Lectors, Prayer Leaders, Ushers, Communion assistants and Altar Guild. There are sign-up sheets on the table in Fellowship Hall. Please sign up for one or more of these positions as you feel led. Thank you. FOR YOUR UPDATE AND INFORMATION November 2015 offering $5,460 November 2015 expenses $2,227 YTD thru offering $42,246 YTD thru Expenses $32,885 We have been able to repay some of the monies that we had to borrow from other accounts and hope to have them all repaid soon. We all need to be vigilant and continue to give our share to our church. Let s keep up the good work and help Bethel remain solvent and look forward to the goal of being able to afford a pastor of our own again. We aren t quite there yet so we still need your help and support. Thank you Doug Ploetz for the update. Notice: When you call the church phone number it will be automatically forwarded to church secretary-nannette Giberson and she will direct your questions or inquiries to the proper people. Thank you. Fundraiser Funds are divided as follows: 10% Charity of our choice 10% Benevolence Rest in general fund Our next church breakfast will be on Saturday January 9 th. Breakfast will be held from 8:00am until 11:00am. Please help if you can but make sure you come to eat and bring your family and friends with you. Also remember that ---- Pre-sales tickets are available for your use. Please see Linda Scott for these. Thanks.

3 My name is Teresa Gaston and I am the coordinator for the Family Table Food Ministry through Faith Bible Church in Little Genesee, NY. We thought that maybe some people in your congregation could benefit from this GREAT ministry! Here is a link to the website to check out our monthly menu and read what the Ministry is all about. On Sunday, January 31 st from 1:00 pm until??? we will be having our annual sled riding party at the home of Gary and June Murray. Chili, hot dogs, coffee, hot chocolate will be provided. Bring your sleds and enjoy the fun. If you are not a sled rider then just come and enjoy the fellowship. Any questions please contact Gary or June. Please remember our clothing drop box used to collect clothes for people in need. The box is located in the parking lot of the church next to the utility shed. If you have clothing you wish to drop off, please place them in plastic bags and tie them up. Donations are greatly appreciated. Let s make this an even better year than last year. Thank you. A new menu comes out each month. At this time, we do not accept EBT cards nor Food Stamps. That is something that takes time to set up and we are currently looking into that. My address for orders is: trella72@outlook.com My Phone for orders is: Thank you so much! Teresa Gaston 9 th Annual Fun Fleece Festival Notice: Deadline for newsletter articles is the third Sunday of each month. Please send them to me at my home at Junebug44@frontiernet.net or you can leave written ones in the top basket on the secretary s desk in the office. If you have questions you can call me at June The 9 th Annual Fun Fleece Festival will be held on Monday, January 18, 2016 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the First Presbyterian church in Portville, NY. Snacks and beverage will be provided. Anyone who can cut and/or tie a knot is welcome to come. Please bring with you one blanket, a pair of good shears (or rotary cutter and mat), and a willingness to help others. A sign-up sheet is in Fellowship Hall for you to sign if you plan to attend. Don t put a question mark where God put a period.

4 Please keep these members in your prayers and send them a card if you are able. Mel MacGill % Anna Johnson P. O. Box 8233 Charlottesville, VA Jo An Brooks c/o Toby and Lisa Miller 112 Rt. 44 Shinglehouse, Pa Congratulations go out to Michael Brewer (son of Ruth Brewer and father of Dakota and Haedyn), who recently graduated from the University of Alabama with his master's degree in nursing/ psychiatric nurse practitioner. He will be employed at the Guidance center in Bradford. Rita Lengvarsky 14 Ocean Street Riviera Beach, FL Don Diebler Strong Memorial Hospital 601 Elmwood Avenue % Unit Rochester, NY ***************************** In Memory Memorials for Bill Brooks December 2015 Joan M. Gardner Bob and Ruth Brewer Warner and Joan Johnson Shirley, Matt and Bill Putt Skip and Bev Robinson Bill and Judy Graves Jean Morgan Rick and Nannette Giberson Gary and June Murray Mark & Cheryl Welles Thomas & Bonita Torrey Ronald & Nancy Wilcox Olean Wholesale Grocery Co-op Inc. Clifford and Marge Nix

5 January 2016 Worship Assistants Happy Birthday to: 4 J.J. Williams Jr. 4 Robert Wolsky 4 Scott Wolsky 6 Katie Bush 11 David Robinson 16 Jena Linn 17 Rae Fitzsimmons 19 Richard Chapman Jr. 19 Jeff Scott 20 Matthew Cole 24 Janet Vanderworker 27 Alec Smith 28 April Giberson & Gertrude Yohe Lectors Jan 3 rd... Doug Ploetz Jan 10 th... Bev Robinson Jan 17 th... Connie Smith-Matteson Jan 24 th... Jo Kile Jan 31 st...ruth Brewer Prayer Leaders Jan 3 rd... Trinette Brewer Jan 10 th... Linda Scott Jan 17 th... Doug Ploetz Jan 24 th... Ariel Kile Jan 31 st..connie Smith-Matteson Assistants for January Acolyte... Dakota Brewer Communion Assistants...Ruth & Haedyn..Brewer Happy Anniversary to: 8 Ron & Trinette Brewer 9 Gary & June Murray Sr. Usher/s Jan 3 rd.. Don Linn Jan 10 th, 17 th, 24 th & 31 st...gary Murray Altar Guild....Ruth Brewer Mail Greeter.Nannette Giberson Bread Bakers... Ron Kile

6 BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH CALENDAR JANUARY 2016 Sunday, Jan 3 Sunday, Jan 10 Sunday, Jan 17 Monday, Jan 18 Thursday, Jan 22 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS 7:45am-Choir rehearsal 9:00am- Worship with Fellowship following 10.15am No Sunday School Today 10:30am Adult Bible Study BAPTISM OF OUR LORD 7:45am- Choir rehearsal 9:00am Worship with Fellowship following 10:15am Sunday school 10:30am Adult Bible Study SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 7:45am- Choir rehearsal 9:00am Worship with Fellowship following 10:15am Sunday school 10:30am Adult Bible Study 1:00-3:00pm 9 th Annual Fun Fleece Festival at the Portville Presbyterian church. 7:00pm Council Meeting Sunday, Jan 24 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 7:45am-Choir rehearsal 9:00am- Worship with Fellowship following 10:15am Sunday school 10:30am Adult Bible Study Sunday, Jan 31 FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 7:45am-Choir rehearsal 9:00am- Worship with Fellowship following 10:15am Sunday school 10:30am Adult Bible Study 1:00-???- Sled Riding Party at the Murray s

7 HYMN HISTORY HOW GREAT THOU ART (1885) For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in van, Who formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord, and there is no other, Isaiah 45: 18 Carl Boberg, a 26-year-old Swedish minister, wrote a poem in 1885 which he called O Store Gud --- O Mighty God. The words, literally translated to English, said: When I the world consider / Which Thou has made by Thine almighty Word And how the webb of life Thous wisdom guideth / And all creaion feedeth at Thy board. Then doth my soul burst forth in song of praise / Oh, great God, Oh, great God! His poem was published and forgotten ---or so he thought. Several years later, Carl was surprised to hear it being sung to the tune of an old Swedish melody; but the poem and hymn did not achieve widespread fame. Hearing this hymn in Russia, English missionary, Stuart Hine, was so moved he modified and expanded the words and made his own arrangement of the Swedish melody. He later said his first three verses were inspired, line upon line, by Russia s rugged Carpathian Mountains. The first verse was composed when he was caught in a thunderstorm in a Carpathian village, the second as he heard the birds sing near the Romanian border, and the third as he witnessed many of the Carpathian mountain-dwellers coming to Christ. The final verse was written after Dr. Hine returned to Great Britain. Some time later, Dr. J. Edwin Orr heard How Great Thou Art being sung by Naga Tribespeople in Assam, in India, and decided to bring it back to America for use in his own meetings. When he introduced it at a conference in California, it came to the attention of music publisher, Tim Spencer, who contacted Mr. Hine and had the song copyrighted. It was published and recorded. During the 1954 Bill Graham Crusade in Harringay Arena, George Beverly Shea was given a leaflet containing the hymn. He sang it to himself and shared it with other members of the Graham team. Though not used in London, it was introduced the following year to audiences in Toronto. In the New York Crusade of 1957, it was sung by Bev Shea ninety-nine times, with the choir joining the majestic refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art! Taken from Robert J. Morgan s book Then Sings My Soul. Copyright 2003

8 Being Here After Being in Heaven In this excerpt from Heaven Is Beautiful, Peter Panagore shares his miraculous experience of life after being in heaven. by Reverend Peter Baldwin Panagore I am often asked if dying and coming back influenced my decision to get ordained. The answer is yes and no. In some ways, I have always been on this path. I ve had a strong interior spiritual call since I was a young boy. I m sort of an accidental clergy member; I did not intend to remain at the pulpit, but I kept finding work that had to be done, so I did it. Also, the intensity of my spirituality increased dramatically after my near-death experience, and I knew of no other way I could get away with spending hours each day in yoga and meditation and call it work. The work of ministry has allowed me the honor of sitting and conversing with many who are dying, and many who have died. And I feel better equipped to help because of my experience. The best part of my ministry job has always been sitting with the dying talking, praying, and simply being with them, being real, authentic, and truthful. I ve found that, when I ve shared my story, even if very briefly, expressing my assurance of eternal life, my hope, my knowing that I am known, has helped ease hundreds into death, and into Love-Hope-Joy-Beauty-Truth-Charity- Kindness-Compassion-Love- Patience-Beauty-Love. I have been an unconventional pastor because I am an unconventional person, one who has at times run afoul of certain parishioners who had their own ideas of clerical propriety and dignity. I have never been good at either of those things. Inevitably, some of these parishioners have become gravely ill, and whether they like it or not, whether I liked them or not it has been and will be my duty to visit them and help their passage across. Once someone reaches the stage where he or she sees death coming, we have become the fastest of friends. I said it was an honor to sit with the dying, and it has been, every time. Part of this is because people often become more honest in their deaths; but more so, as the time nears, it is because the veil that hides heaven from the eyes of humans sometimes begins to lift. In the old days, when Auntie Mabel was dying, she might say, I see an angel or I see my husband (or my mother). The attendant might say, No, dear. There is no angel here, or No, dear. Your mother (or your husband) has been dead for ten years. She (or he) is not here. These days, nurses, doctors, and clergy just let those who are dying express what they believe they are seeing, even if no one else can see it. Who is to say that what they see is not real, and that an angel or a deceased family member is not in the room? The veil between heaven and earth is lifted more often than we know. For weeks after a funeral, it has been my job to visit the grieving mother, widow, husband, or child. Often, in hushed tones, they would lean across the kitchen table and say words such as these: Peter, this is going to sound crazy. This morning when I came down for breakfast, there was Tom, standing right there by the

9 sink with his back to me. I was shocked. He turned around, looked me in the eyes, and said, Don t worry, dear. I am okay. I ll see you again. He smiled and then vanished. A hundred times or more, I ve heard such stories from the grieving. Maybe you have a similar story or have heard one like it. If the afterlife is real, and I am here to tell you that it is, then why wouldn t your loved one want to tell you that she or he is okay and all is well? If you are dying right now, or fear dying, or love someone who is dying, then please, let me tell you this: You are not your body. You are your soul. Your soul inhabits your body. When you go across, or when the one you love departs, the soul does not die. Only the body dies. The real you does not die. When you die, you will carry with you yourself the you who is you, plus all the love you have given away or shared, and all the love you have gathered. All the bits and pieces of love you have given or collected are in your soul right now, and they are yours to keep. They are your treasure. Jesus said, Store up treasure for yourself in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy and thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6:20). He was right. Every act of love accumulates in your soul. No one, and nothing, can take these from you or destroy them. Love is eternal, and love is inside you. You also get to carry all the pain you have caused, and whether you choose to believe me or not, that pain is sin. We all sin. I still sin, probably every day; but I love every day, too, and I know that God is merciful and forgiving thank God. You will carry your memories, your self, your mind, and your soul into heaven, a heaven where there is no pain, no boredom, no suffering, and where there is love and beauty beyond comprehension. God is all-loving and knows you thoroughly already, from before you were born, even before you were knit in your mother s womb. God created your innermost being. God knew you, and knows you (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13). You are loved. You are beloved in particular. You have always been loved; you will always be loved. You are loved with a love beyond imagination, with a power of love beyond comprehension, a thousand times sweeter than the sweetest love you have ever felt. Love is how you were made. Love is how you exist. You will not end. When the trumpet blows for you, you will transform in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52) and find yourself in the presence of God, who is Love and Mercy and Truth and Beauty. Be prepared to be loved and to be welcomed: you are going Home. Death is only a doorway. When your time comes, as it must, walk through that doorway and love God. Trust God. Believe. That s all you have to do simply believe. You can believe in God, because God is Real. This life is simply one bridge in between.

10 DELICIOUS BREAKFAST THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH Great time of Fellowship as well. Please come and join us.

11 Christmas Caroling at its best!!! We all had a really good time. Wish we could get more people to join us.

12 Charity for the month of January will be World Hunger.