The Messenger BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH JANUARY/FEBRUARY Lent: Living our Baptism. Blessing Bags

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BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH The Messenger JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 Lent: Living our Baptism LEMONT IL When someone is Confirmed or at certain points in the church year, we Affirm our Baptism.

Then we promise to continue in the covenant God first made with us in holy baptism: To live among God s faithful people, To hear the word of God and share in the Lord s supper, To proclaim the good

1 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH The Messenger JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 Lent: Living our Baptism LEMONT IL When someone is Confirmed or at certain points in the church year, we Affirm our Baptism. We renounce the devil and all that draws us from God and we confess our faith. Then we promise to continue in the covenant God first made with us in holy baptism: To live among God s faithful people, To hear the word of God and share in the Lord s supper, To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, To serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and To strive for peace and justice in all the earth. This Lent, we re diving into the waters of baptism as we remember who we are as God s covenant people and as we explore each of these baptismal promises in worship and in practice. Here s what you can look forward to: Join others in reading through the New Testament during the 40 days of Lent. A reading plan will be provided. Live among God s faithful people and join us for Wednesday Midweek Worship and a meal on February 28. Proclaim the good news as you wear a cross necklace (will be provided) and give it away to anyone who shows interest in the cross. Donate items for our Blessing Bags and join us in assembling them on March 14. Then, on March 18 in the evening, volunteer with us at South Loop Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry, downtown Chicago, as they serve and share a meal with the homeless. We will distribute our Blessing Bags there. Lent begins on Wednesday, February 14 with Ash Wednesday. Join us for this season of renewal! Blessing Bags Starting in February, we will be collecting different items each week to make Blessing Bags for the homeless. On March 14, we will assemble the Blessing Bags that will then be distributed on March 18 at South Loop Campus Ministry at their weekly community meal. Grace Place has guests each week. Can we make that many bags? Here s what we re looking for: February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 March 4 March 11 Granola bars, individual nut packets or trail mix packets Individually packaged toothbrushes and travel size toothpaste Bus Pass Money; $3 buys a single fare ticket. We will purchase these single ride tickets in bulk. Men s socks, extra warm Emergency Rain Ponchos or foil mylar rescue blankets Treats: candy bars, small cookie packs, gum, mints We will also take donations of gently used reusable grocery bags and drawstring backpacks. Visit us at Church Office

BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 2 Join us for a New Member Meet and Greet on Sunday, February 4 following worship.

This gathering is literally a "mixer" without goofy icebreakers. Current members are invited to bring a snack, breakfast rolls, or drinks to share.

He went to Northern Illinois University and works with his Dad at the family owned business.

happy to be back in the south suburbs near her family and friends and works from home full time.

After a few years of practice being dog parents to our puppy, Chewie, in May, 2017, we became parents to Violet and Trevor.

A couple of our Confirmation students and some of their church friends went to the Northern Illinois Food Bank on Saturday, January 13.

Elaina, Jackie Jaje, Tom Wisniewski, Sam Ahlberg, Jake Ahlberg, Delaney Plotke, Autumn Nilles, and Adam Hagedorn.

BYOB Bring Your Own Beverage (soda, wine, beer, Kool-Aid). Pizza will be served.

2 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 2 Join us for a New Member Meet and Greet on Sunday, February 4 following worship. All are invited--current members, new members, and non-members who'd like to connect to people at Bethany. This gathering is literally a "mixer" without goofy icebreakers. Current members are invited to bring a snack, breakfast rolls, or drinks to share. Meet the Richardson Family Todd was born in Minnesota and moved to the Naperville in middle school. He went to Northern Illinois University and works with his Dad at the family owned business. Colleen was born and raised in the south suburbs and after living in the city and a few other suburbs after returning from the University of Illinois, she is happy to be back in the south suburbs near her family and friends and works from home full time. We met in 2009, were married in January of 2016 and moved to Lemont in March After a few years of practice being dog parents to our puppy, Chewie, in May, 2017, we became parents to Violet and Trevor. We are happy to have found Bethany Lutheran Church and look forward to raising our children here. God s Work. Our Hands. A couple of our Confirmation students and some of their church friends went to the Northern Illinois Food Bank on Saturday, January 13. This hard-working crew helped pack 13,312 meals for school programs that send a backpack of food home with food insecure children for the weekend. (L to R: Pr. Elaina, Jackie Jaje, Tom Wisniewski, Sam Ahlberg, Jake Ahlberg, Delaney Plotke, Autumn Nilles, and Adam Hagedorn.) Join us for Trivia Night on Thursday, February 8 from 7-9pm! Grab some friends and form a team. Or just showup and connect with new people. BYOB Bring Your Own Beverage (soda, wine, beer, Kool-Aid). Pizza will be served. CPR Class at Bethany On Saturday, February 10 from 9am-1pm, Bethany will be hosting a certification course in Basic Heartsaver-AED CPR class. Mike Woods will be our instructor. Participants will receive an electronic certification card. To register please Marge at bethanylmt@aol.com. There will be a fee (more details to come) which can be submitted on the day of the class. Checks can be made payable to Bethany Lutheran Church. THE 2018 ALTAR FLOWER CHART is posted in the Narthex. Please fill in your name for the date you would like and complete a green card next to the chart with your special intention. Cards may be placed in the offering plate or brought to the church office. Arrangements are $25.00 and payment is due to Bethany when your flowers adorn the altar.

BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 3 The

Sunday School students presented The Gospel

The costumes were very clever and the students

The wonderful bakers below made delicious

3 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 3 The Christmas Season at Bethany On December, 10, the Sunday School students presented The Gospel According to Emojis. The costumes were very clever and the students did a wonderful job! The wonderful bakers below made delicious holiday cookies and assembled plates for delivery to our homebound members. They provided a delectable treat while spreading Christmas cheer! Autumn Nilles & Delaney Plotke visited with Marie Heeren during the holidays.

4 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 4 Thank you to Glenn & Bill McAdam for organizing this event and to all the men who came in so early to make the sausage.

BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 5 GIFTS TO BETHANY A GIFT TO THE GENERAL FUND in loving memory of Jack Olson on the 3 rd anniversary of his death on December 26 th was given by his wife,

5 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 5 GIFTS TO BETHANY A GIFT TO THE GENERAL FUND in loving memory of Jack Olson on the 3 rd anniversary of his death on December 26 th was given by his wife, Syneta. from Narcotics Anonymous Thursday Night meeting GIFTS TO THE OPEN PANTRY WERE GIVEN in loving memory of Margaret Drafke from Susan Crosby, Kerri & Corey Schroeder, Douglas & Barbara Laubhan, Ron & Anita Bromberek, Joy & Steve Semetulskis, and Sharon Ahlberg in loving memory of Eugene Gutowski on the anniversary of his birth on December 15 th by Dolores Gutowski in loving memory of Ellinor Slager by Rev. Glenn & MariLynn Bergmark A GIFT TO THE QUILT MINISTRY was given by Marlynn Vavruska Glenda Anderson, Jodi and Bruce Taylor, Pat Turcic, Ardy Wakefield, Mary Staudt, Dorothy Freehauf and Bev Wilson for baking cookies and assembling cookie platters for our homebound members Delaney Plotke and Autumn Nilles for helping make a cookie delivery Heather Nilles, Erin Kissick, Beth Howell, and Sue Gray for their work on the Christmas Pageant Sue Gray, David Kissick, Sandy Doebert, Jordan Fandrey, Ralph Johnson and Shawn Salmon for providing special music in December Doug Freehauf for providing music at our Advent Midweek Worship services Don Garling, Ardy Wakefield, Marlene Ahlberg and Pr. Elaina for providing an Advent dinner Stephanie Guglielmucci, Ardy Wakefield, Jodi and Bruce Taylor and Pr. Elaina for providing treats for our fellowship after the Sunday School Christmas Program Jodi and Bruce Taylor for providing lunch for the Sunday School Christmas Pageant rehearsal Gary Gray and Don Garling for setting up and taking down the Nativity set Pam Laasch, Bev Wilson, Mary Staudt, Dorothy Freehauf, Ardy Wakefield, Jodi Taylor, Marlene Ahlberg, Sharon Ahlberg and Karen Washagan for decorating and undecorating the sanctuary for Christmas Delores Gutowski, Nancy Mason, and Gary Gray for counting the offering each week Shawn and Eamon Salmon, David Bergmark, and Gary Gray for snow shoveling Don Garling for working with the Village to get cemetery fence posts repaired Bill Laasch, Karen Washagan, Lori Olkiewicz, Jodi Taylor, Dave Czuchra who serve in our food pantry Sharon Ahlberg for preparing the Anuual Giving statements Bill Martinez for repairing the parsonage garage door Jodi Taylor for cleaning up leaves around the church property Dorothy Freehauf for altering paraments

BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 6 IN OUR PRAYERS Bethany Members Ginny Connelly Peyton Kirk Judy Faulhaber Nancy Iwan Frank Iwan Theora Kujawa Vivian Gunsaulus Marie Heeren Leona Nelson Norma

6 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 6 IN OUR PRAYERS Bethany Members Ginny Connelly Peyton Kirk Judy Faulhaber Nancy Iwan Frank Iwan Theora Kujawa Vivian Gunsaulus Marie Heeren Leona Nelson Norma Johnson Carl Slip Johnson Virginia Hoster Ben Sabourin Vivian Tiemeier Bob Gotlund Friends and Relatives of Bethany Members Joanne Bauer friend of Jim & Ginny Connelly Gary Cobbett friend of the Bergmarks Gene Sobba uncle of Carole & Jim Ross Will Pukula friend of the Olkiewicz Family Terry Wilder friend of Glenda Anderson MaryAnn Olkiewicz mother of Keith Olkiewicz Bernie Schroeder father of Cheryl Hagedorn Justin Rogers friend of Dave & Mary Staudt Bob Lewandowski uncle of John & Kelly Jaje Jim Driscoll friend of Gary Gray Stella Slowik friend of Kim Stowe Susan Newton friend of MariLynn Bergmark Nancy Ludwig friend of Dave Staudt & Floyd Kujawa Kyle Williams friend of Sue Gray Priscilla Lynch friend of Karen Washagan Anita Bromberek neighbor of Sharon Ahlberg Sean Clark friend of Kelsey Schroeder Frank Roy friend of Barb & Michael Woods Rudy Cozzi friend of Glenda & Ed Anderson Maria Railey friend of Lori Olkiewicz The Halama Family friends of the Iwans Mike Bromberek neighbor of Sharon Ahlberg John Shea brother-in-law of Heather & Mike Nilles Janice Johnson relative of Pat Engwall Sue Lucheon friend of Ginny Connelly Mike Hoffman friend of Kerri & Corey Schroeder Pastor Melissa Kuemmerle friend of the Bergmarks Ralph Dvorak friend of Mary & Dave Staudt Marianne Carlson friend of Ginny Connelly & Karen Rae Jackie Falese mother of Joe Falese Justin & Stephanie Wormsley friends of Jodi & Bruce Taylor Beau Dowling friend of Kris Falese David Walsh son-in-law of Virginia & Bob Hoster Brenda Short friend of Kealy Schroeder Tim & Virginia Schroeder relatives of Jim & Carole Ross Emma O Leary friend of the Washagans If you would like to add anyone to the Bethany Prayer List, call or the church office OR drop a note in the offering plate be sure to include your name. Conversely, if anyone listed is no longer in need of our prayers, please notify us as well. Sunday, January 28 Wednesday, January 31 Sunday, February 4 Wednesday, February 7 Thursday, February 8 Saturday, February 10 Sunday, February 11 Monday, February 12 Wednesday, February 14 Sunday, February 18 Wednesday, February 21 Sunday, February 25 Wednesday, February 28 CALENDAR Worship, 10:30AM Wednesday Midweek Worship, 7PM Worship, 10:30AM, Meet and Greet following Worship Wednesday Midweek Worship, 7PM Trivia Night, 7-9PM CPR Class, 9AM-1PM Worship, 10:30AM Church Council Meeting, 7PM Ash Wednesday Service, 7PM Worship, 10:30AM Lenten Midweek Service, 7PM Worship, 10:30AM Meal, 6PM and Midweek Service, 7PM

BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 7 THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED FOOD STAPLES TO THE BETHANY OPEN PANTRY St.

Learning Experience Allegro Music & Dance Academy Century 21 Realtors St. Alphonsus/St.

Patrick Church Lemont High School Lemont High School Band St.

The bus was filled from front to back with donations for both pantries. The pantry crew enjoyed a holiday lunch given by Lori Olkiewicz.

7 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 7 THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED FOOD STAPLES TO THE BETHANY OPEN PANTRY St. Alphonsus Church Lemont Fireman s Association Emmanuel Baptist Church Lemont Knights of Columbus Daniel Nimtz Jurgis Matulaitis Mission Gail & Bill Rickert Lynne & Gaylord Nelson Jeff Bertucci The Learning Experience Allegro Music & Dance Academy Century 21 Realtors St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School Lemont Park District Preschool Christ Community Church Hayes Auto Repair Rotary Club of Lemont/Homer Glen MB Financial Bank Lemont Township St. Patrick Church Lemont High School Lemont High School Band St. Mary s Slovenian Church Starbucks patrons Mark Joiner Rotary Club of Lemont/Homer Glen The Salmon Family American Federation of Teachers Local 604 We received a unique delivery for our Food Pantry. The bus was filled from front to back with donations for both pantries. The pantry crew enjoyed a holiday lunch given by Lori Olkiewicz. According to Mark - Sunday, January 28 A performance of According to Mark, a one-man play of The Gospel According to Mark performed by local actor Jim Krag, will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Sunday, January 28, at 3:00 PM. Transforming Biblical passages into a compelling, moving, and often humorous story of love and sacrifice, According to Mark is a one-man play that allows hearers to experience the Gospel of Mark in a wholly new and exciting way. The Biblical story is brought to life by Broadway, film, and television actor Jim Krag, who has researched and performed pieces of Mark for over two decades. Krag s approach to the Biblical text yields a clarity and insight that can enhance or even challenge one s notions of the story. The run time is approximately two hours. All are invited to this free performance. Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 9401 S. Oakley Avenue, Chicago. Phone#

8 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL JAN/FEB 2018 MONETARY DONATIONS TO THE BETHANY OPEN PANTRY WERE GIVEN BY Matthew & Elizabeth Clarage Lois Miller Donald & Patty Krengiel Emma Bozue Lonnie & Fay Hensley Bilal & Amy Aydoner George & Shannon Podrebarac Matthew & Carolyn Zolecki Michelle & Dan Balich Mark & Maureen Skowronski St. Patrick Woman s Club Elsie Schultz The Stech Family Glenn & Judy Sandberg Lemont Garden Club Lois Miller Doug & Dorothy Freehauf Roger & Geraldine Beck Edward & Deanna Freehauf Ed & Nancy Mason Earl & Gayle Anderson Rob Themel Vacys & Viktoria Saulys White Eagle Associates Lynne & Gaylord Nelson Gerald Cox Bruce & Lynda Biwer Steve & Linda Barton Brian & Barbara Osborne T.O.P.S. Chapter #2196 Bill & Pam Laasch Ted & Linda Zielinski H & R Construction Lemont Park District Preschool Leo & Virginia Cattoni John & Jennifer Davis Jodi & Bruce Taylor Norma Beavers R.E.S Financial David & Jana Dykstra Virginia Engler BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH 500 LEMONT STREET LEMONT IL 60439

The Messenger SEPTEMBER 2018

BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH The Messenger SEPTEMBER 2018 LEMONT IL Pastor Reflection Dear friends and companions on this journey of faith, I know folks who have been around the church for years may have knee-jerk