March 2018 Volume 12, Issue 3

Transcription

1 March 2018 Volume 12, Issue 3 Regular Features: Bd of Director s 2 God s Treasure Report 3 Flower Chart 5 Births & Anniversaries 7 Calendar of Events 7 Use Words Befitting a Christian The lips of the righteous know what is fitting. Proverbs 10:32 When George H. W. Bush was running for President of the United States in 1988, he admitted he d made an inappropriate remark about American journalist Dan Rather and White House correspondent Lesley Stahl after an on-air confrontation. Bush referred to Rather in an unprintable term, and also took God s name in vain in speaking about The Newsletter of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, River Grove, Illinois Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Rev. Roger Gallup, Pastor the Columbia Broadcasting System. When confronted, he said, If I d known the microphone was on I wouldn t have taken the Lord s name in vain, and I apologize for that. The fact is, he shouldn t have said it whether the tape was running or not. Remember, God s tape is always running! The Bible says, A man s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths (Proverbs 5:21). Centuries ago Jesus declared: There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs (Luke 12:2-3). Take a moment and consider these two Scrip- (Continued on page 5) Inside this Issue: Holy Week Schedule 1 Bible Puzzle 2 Stewardship 3 On-Line Giving 3 Join the Choir 4 Old Testament Puzzle 4 Portillo s Fundraiser 5 Bronco Closing 6 Walther Band & Choir 6 March 7 -Lenten Service 7pm March 14 -Lenten Service 7pm March 21 -Lenten Service 7pm March 25 -Palm Sunday 9:15am March 29 -Maundy Thursday 7pm March 30 -Good Friday Service 7pm April 1 -Easter Sunrise 7:45am April 1 -Easter Service 10:30am

2 Page 2 The Bethlehem Star Board of Director s Meeting: January 23, 2018 Serving GOD and the community since 1898 Board of Directors Chairman Gerald Erjavec gerjavec@mindspring.com Vice-Chairman Ray Bernero bernero@sbcglobal.net Secretary Kurt Kugelberg kugelberg@sbcglobal.net Treasurer Marian Sperling mjsperling@sbcglobal.net Financial Secretary Tim Saar timsaar@gmail.com Deacons Harry McGinnis hmcginni@triton.edu Properties Bob Schultz schultzie44@att.net At-Large Liz Mork lizmork@comcast.net Diana Arndt dlarndt623@yahoo.com PRESENT: Pastor Gallup, Liz Mork, Jerry Erjavec, Diana Arndt, Harry McGinnis, Ray Bernero, Marian Sperling, Bob Schultz, Kurt Kugelberg & visitor Peggy Shabez Meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor at 7:03pm. Approval of Nov 28, 2017 Minutes by acclimation Official Acts: None Treasurer s Report: $40,000 in bank after bills paid Financial Secretary: Not present. Report received by . On target with the budget. Pastor s Report: -Sue Peavey will be our representative to District Convention Properties Report: -Final check from Insurance has was received. -Fire alarm system inspected and repaired -Locker room windows replaced- -New toilets were delivered and will be installed soon -Pulpit lights will be changed to LED Deacons: Harry ed out the 2018 schedule Ad Hoc: Diana and Liz reported: Next Portillo s fundraiser will be April 9th Next Brunch will be Feb 18th Easter Breakfast April 1 st will be organized by Peggy Shabez Vice Chairman: no report Old Business: None New Business: Peggy Shabez asked that we allow Zumba to return to the gym Mondays & Wednesdays 7:30-8:30pm. A motion was passed to give Village a (Continued on page 4) Bad Guys & Rascals in Bible (answers on page 6) Words: Hophni Phinehas Cain Samson Rehoboam Judas Ahab Nabal Hazael Satan Adonijah Horam Herod Zedekiah Goliath Eglon Nadab Absalom Ahaz

3 Volume 12, Issue 3 "Making His House Your Home" March 2018 Page 3 Stewardship: Bearing Good Fruit... Hudson Taylor, a Nineteenth Century British missionary to China, is reported to have said, God s work, done in God s way, will not lack God s supply. To know God s way, we need to know His Holy Word. Or to say it another way: you need to know your Bible. St. Paul, before he spends two chapters on giving, wrote that every thought is to be taken captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Doctrine matters. And doctrine matters because the Scriptures matter. And the Scriptures matter because this is where we learn the teaching of Christ. Our thoughts must be brought into line with the teaching of Scripture so that our work is what God wants done and so that we do this work in His way. A good tree bears good fruit. A bad tree bears bad fruit. We have been made good trees in holy baptism. We are fertilized and pruned for bearing good fruit by constantly hearing God s Word preached and taught in sermon and Bible Class and in receiving the life-giving, faith-sustaining food of the Lord s Supper. Remember your doctrine, hold on to the Lord s teaching, and your thoughts will be taken captive to the obedience of Christ. Bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ is recognizing that God does provide. The Lord s Prayer teaches us to pray for daily bread. Praying this day in and day out reminds us that the Lord is the giver of our daily bread, and that we are to gives thanks for His daily provision of it. God is rarely early and never late in His work, as Abraham learned, on the mount of the Lord it will be provided (Gen. 22:14). The Lord s God s Treasure Report Date Attendance Income Goal Difference Year * 161 $9, $9,232 -($139.50) Feb 4 45 $2, $2,308 +$1, Feb $1, $2,308 -($398.00) Feb $2, $2,308 +$ Feb $.00 $ -($00) YEAR 350 $15, $16,156 -($181.00) *The Year row are the totals for this church year prior to but NOT including the dates shown in the rest of the table. 1 includes Advent & Christmas services attendance generosity forms our generosity in return. Thus, we set aside for the work of God a generous, first-fruits, proportion of the daily bread that God has given to us. This act of trust in the Lord s provision is the working out of our faith in Him. When budgetary discussions pop up, our natural reaction is to point fingers. But remember your doctrine, and what your mother taught about pointing fingers. Our first natural reaction is not always right. In fact, when our thoughts are brought into captivity of Christ, our first reaction should be repentance. It should raise questions in our own lives. As good trees in Christ who are to bear good fruit, we should ask whether our thoughts are taken captive by obedience to Christ. Have we given generously? Have we given our first-fruits? You know. And God knows. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (2 Chron. 16:9). God will provide. He always has and He always will. He gives His meat in due season. He has not left you as orphans, but has grafted you into His own family. You belong to Him. Remember this, letting this thought dwell in you richly. And you will then be rich toward others. On-Line Giving/Offerings: You can now schedule contributions to Bethlehem online through VANCO. To contribute online, visit our web site: and choose Donations in the top banner DIRECTV Channel 377 -DISH Network Sunday 10:30 am Network (TLN) Comcast Cable 138 Sunday 11:30 am FREE Day-Old Bakery Open every Sunday morning 7:45am until 10:30am for more information contact: Harry McGinnis, Chair Bring your inkjet or laser cartridges to the narthex! We return them for a rebate For more information contact: Peggy Shabez

4 Bethlehem Church was dedicated on Sunday, Nov 4, 1951 it was built adjacent to the old church building Our Church Staff Pastor Rev. Roger Gallup, M. Div., M.A. Office Home Director of Music Linda Erjavec, B.A Secretary Elizabeth Gallup x10 Page 4 Old Testament Puzzle (answers on page 6) The Bethlehem Star Board Minutes (Continued from page 2) one year contract to be written by Pastor. Next Meeting: February 27, 2018 Meeting was closed with the Lord s Prayer at 7:58pm Respectfully submitted: Kurt Kugelberg, Secretary Across: 1. Book of songs 6. Satan tested him 7.Book of God s commands to Moses 10. Benjamin s son Gen. 46: Book of Israel s leaders 13. Aram s Son Gen. 10: Creator nd book 18. Book after captivity 19. Book of prophet from Elkosh 20. Ham s son Gen.10:6 21. You 23. Lodged with lions 25. they believe Nu. 14: Last judge 28. Book of beginnings Down: 2. my people go 3. High priest 4. Eliahib s son Neh. 12: th book 8. 21st book 9. 25th book 11. Israel s history 12. Prophet of Judah 16. Book after Amos 17. Lot owned them Gen. 13:5 22. King of Moab Jud Naomi s daughter-in-law 26. Woman made from this 29. City of Hadarezer 1 Chr. 18:8 circa 1900 Bethlehem Church (foreground) and School (background) Are you getting the Newsletter via ? If not please give pastor your address! In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. Phil 4:6 Would you like to submit a prayer request? Prayer is very powerful & Bethlehem has a powerful prayer chain. Sue Peavey, Chief Prayer Warrior susanpeavey@sbcglobal.net We will do the rest and many prayers will be made known to God. Have YOU ever thought of joining the Church Choir? The Choir practices Thursdays at 7pm for the Lenten & Christmas seasons! Come and ENJOY!

5 Volume 12, Issue 3 "Making His House Your Home" March 2018 Page 5 Use Words Befitting a Christian (continued from page 1) Flower Chart 2018: We are all aware that flowers bring beauty to the altar as well as joy to the giver. Unfortunately, we have experienced problems with receiving payment. If you are like me we sign up when the flower chart is produced and then forget about it until the date comes up and our name appears in the bulletin as the donor. We leave church saying we have to pay for them and then time gets away from us and the thought is forgotten. Payment can be made in advance or at least during the month in which flowers were requested. God's blessings to each of you who donate flowers and thanks for helping with the payments. Any questions you may contact Liz Mork. tures: The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil (Proverbs 15:28). The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse (Proverbs 10:32). The first Scripture tells you that a wise person will think before he or she speaks, because they realize every word has a consequence. The second Scripture tells you that a righteous person automatically knows what s acceptable and keeps in mind the fact that God hears every word. Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me keep my words in check and not to say anything that is not reflective of being a Christian. Forgive me for the times when I have. In Jesus Name, Amen From devotions.lccharities.org Pull Tabs We collect tabs to benefit Ronald McDonald House. Drop them off in the Narthex. Many thanks! Peggy Shabez chairperson River Grove Food Pantry If everyone coming to church brought just one item each Sunday, think how many lives we could touch. BRONCO Resale Shop 5517 St Charles Rd (at Wolf Rd) Berkley, IL HOURS OF OPERATION M-T-Th-F: 10am - 4pm Wednesday: 10am - 6pm- Saturday: 9am - 3pm Walther HS Boosters PLEASE USE OUR NEW: Tuition Credit Shopping Program for current & future students of Walther High School Linda McGinnis, Chairperson

6 circa 1927 Bethlehem Church & Parsonage prior to remodeling of church building which occurred in :15am Service (I) Page 6 Bad Guys in Bible Answers Old Testament Crossword Answers The Bethlehem Star Walther News: Bronco Store Closing! After 40 years in operation, on April 30, the Bronco Resale Shop will close its doors for good. Walther sends a huge thank you to current store manager, Marlene Mussatti, and the hundreds of adult and student volunteers who have worked at the shop to provide a valuable resource for members of our local community. When Walther owned the building in Maywood there was a much lower overhead, and a much higher purchase volume. The move to Berkeley left the shop in a position where it was no longer able to provide the level of financial support that had been possible in the past. Walther Musical Events Please join Walther Christian Academy for their band concert on Sunday, March 4 th at 3pm at Walther and for the Sacred Choral Concert on Sunday, March 18 th at 3pm. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Melrose Park. The 2018 Spring Concert Tour will take Walther s A Cappella Choir, Chamber Choir and Christian Minstrels to Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. For tour details, visit walther.com. Our old church altar Daily Devotion-Lutheran Church Charities Read or listen to a great daily devotional Sundays-6am-WGN 720AM

7 Volume 12, Issue 3 "Making His House Your Home" March 2018 Page 7 Birthdays Glass, Michael 02-Mar Hermansen, Scotti 02-Mar Johnson, Caitlin 03-Mar Ghadosh, Helena 04-Mar Naylor Jr, Paul 04-Mar Schultz, Dale 06-Mar Becerra, Nancy 07-Mar Romberg, Kim 09-Mar Kilgore, Susan 10-Mar Diaz, Sarah 11-Mar Engel, David 11-Mar Kulik, Mary 11-Mar Brandt, Emil 12-Mar Tuchel, Jahnai 15-Mar Erjavec, Allen 17-Mar Moselle, Stefanie 18-Mar Brogaard, Chris 19-Mar Peavey, Sue 19-Mar Robinson, Abby 19-Mar Schroeder, Janet 19-Mar Shabez, Jake 21-Mar Steimel Jr, Karl 23-Mar Arndt, Donald 25-Mar Diaz, Michael 26-Mar Engel, Christine 26-Mar Hall, Gloria 27-Mar McGinnis, Hannah 27-Mar Bailey, Evelyn 29-Mar Rundblad, Raymond 31-Mar Rundblad, Robert 31-Mar Anniversaries James & Gloria Hall 03-Mar Tim & Angela Saar 12 Mar Do you want to add to our Birthday or Anniversary list? Contact the Church Office: or just send us a note! March 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY nd Sun in Lent 9:15am Service (C) 3pm Walther Band (see article pg 6) th Sun in Lent 9:15am Service (I) th Sun in Lent 9:15am Service (C) 3pm Walther Choir (see article pg 6) :15am Service (I) Note: (C) denotes Common Cup Communion Service and (I) denotes Individual Cup Communion Service;

8 Bethlehem Lutheran Church 2624 Oak Street River Grove, Illinois Celebrating God s Love since 1898 What We Teach and Confess As Lutherans -There is one true God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. -All People are born in sin, and we sin against God every day. -Jesus Christ is our Savior. He is true God and true man. He came from heaven, lived a perfect life in our place and died a sacrificial death on the cross for all. -Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and opened the gates of heaven to all who trust in him. -God accepts all who believe in Jesus even though there is no merit or worthiness in us. -So that we might believe in Jesus, God has given us the ministry, which is the preaching of Christ and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord s Supper. Through these, God also gives us the forgiveness of sins. -When God brings people to faith, He also produces many good works in our lives. These are done, not to earn grace, but to do God s will and please him. We love him because he first loved us. -God has given every man, woman and child a calling in life. Within that calling He directs us, and through His Word, strengthens us to live for Him. -The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Bible is free from all error and contradiction in all that it says. The Word of God brings us to Jesus our Lord. ADVANCE EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY CHICAGO, IL 8:15am Sundays For all you Early Risers used to coming to the first service - Join us for coffee and a topical discussion of the Bible with Pastor Gallup. Everyone interested in learning more about the Word are welcome! CHURCH: (708) PASTOR: NEWSLETTER Please any articles you want included in the next newsletter to: kugelberg@sbcglobal.net We re on the Web! Visit us at: bethlehemrivergrove.com WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday 9:15am Service Communion is celebrated every Sunday; common cup on the 1 st, 3 rd and 5 th Sunday & individual cup on the 2 nd and 4 th Sunday.