Fall 2017 Bible Study and Sermon Series

Transcription

1 T h e B e t h l e h e m C o n n e c t i o n Bethlehem Lutheran Church September 2017 Volume 41, Issue 9 Joining Jesus on His Mission Fall 2017 Bible Study and Sermon Series Have you ever closely looked at the figurine of Jesus in the front of Bethlehem s sanctuary? If you look closely there are no fingers or toes on Jesus. This was not an oversight, but intentionally done to convey a message to the members of Bethlehem. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world. The manner in which Jesus arms are positioned seem to me welcoming or inviting. It is as if Jesus were saying, Follow me. Come join me! Now more than ever we need to live our lives with Jesus in our neighborhoods, schools, where we gather for play, and workplaces. Our Fall Bible Study will give us some simple, powerful, practical insights on how we can be on a mission with Jesus. The Fall Bible Study: Joining Jesus on His Mission is a video-based study (10 to 15 minute segments) with a discussion guide and suggested assignments for participants. Beginning Christian Education Sunday, September 10 and running through October 15 we ll look at easy, practical ways that we can live as everyday missionaries in our workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. This Bible study and sermon series is based on the book Joining Jesus on His Mission by LCMS Pastor Greg Finke. In it we will first explore how cultural changes have impacted the church and created new missional opportunities in our communities. We ll then look not only at the biblical basis behind what it means to be a missional church, but also at how we can easily respond to the everyday missional opportunities God is placing in our paths. If you are wondering how the church can be relevant and hope-filled in today s world (and have a lot of fun doing it), join us in September and October. (Continued on next page) 1

2 Here are the themes for our Worship and Sermon series: Fall 2017 Theme: Joining Jesus on His Mission September 10, Kick-off Weekend for 2017 Small Groups September 17, What s Jesus Up To?, Mark 1:15 September 24, Jesus Is On A Mission, Mark 4:29 October 1, Mission Mindset Change, Mark 2:17 October 8, Seeking What s Already Happening, Matthew 6:33 October 15, How to Join Jesus Every Day, John 4:35 Here is a listing of the Bible Studies that are available for you to sign up. Please note that some small groups have decided to continue a previous study or chosen a different one. Sign-up sheets are located in the church narthex. If you have any questions please feel free to call the church office. Day & Time Topic Place Attendees Sunday 10:15 am Joining Jesus on His Mission David Lounge Anyone Sunday 2 pm Financial Peace University Lower Lever Anyone (Cost $100) Tuesday 8:15 am Small Catechism Baptism David Lounge Women Wednesday 10 am Joining Jesus on His Mission David Lounge Anyone Wednesday 6:30 pm The Truth Project Joneses Home Anyone Friday 6:15 am Joining Jesus on His Mission Biggby s Men 2

3 Bethlehem News 500 TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE INGATHERING Bethlehem is in the North & East Region and we are requested to bring pillows, new men s socks, and new men s underwear. This donation will support City Rescue Mission of Lansing that provides shelter to about 150 women and men every night, and serves over 100,000 meals every year. GO INTO ALL THE WORLD is the theme for the LWML Fall Rally which will be held on Saturday, October 7, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Bridgeport. Registration is $6. The speaker will be Jen Bagnell from Lutheran Heritage Foundation. The ingathering will be school kits for Lutheran World Relief. All ladies from Bethlehem are invited! EVELYN LUBBEN AND HER FAMILY would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, letters, and phone calls. They were and are very important to her. She appreciates the support from her church family. Evelyn s address is PO Box 19116, Lenexa, KS , or delubben@outlook.com. SENIOR CHOIR begins on Thursday, September 7, at 7 pm in the choir room. Anyone new interested in singing, please contact George Frank at WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY: Have you ever wondered why Baptism is an essential need for everyone, even an infant? Join the Ladies Bible Study on Tuesdays at 8:15 am as we search God s directions. We ll begin September 12. Call Sally ( or ) for more info. HELLO LADIES! I do hope you had a nice summer. Now we re ready for our activities to begin on Thursday, September 21, at 9 am with crafts, sewing rug strips, or just visiting. Remember it is our casserole potluck. So try some of your new recipes on us or the tried & true ones are good too. Les Morin from Wellspring will speak to us after our noon lunch. We will find things about Wellspring as they ve expanded to new heights. A DOOR OFFERING for the Scholarship Fund Immediate Need will be collected on Education Sunday, September 11, and the Monday evening service at 7 pm. LWML INGATHERING OF SCHOOL KITS FOR THE FALL RALLY: We are requesting that each church collect as many kits as they can and bring them to the Fall Rally on October 7 at Faith Lutheran Church, 4241 Williamson Road, Bridgeport. Each kit consists of four notebooks, one ruler, one pencil sharpener, five pencils, five pens, one box of 24 crayons, one eraser. Thank you! LOWER LEVEL EVENTS: As you begin to plan your fall events for the church or school, please remember to call the church office to put your event on the lower level schedule. DEAR BETHLEHEM CONGREGATION: Thank you so much for your recent donation to Habitat for Humanity. We are so grateful for your support and partnership over the years. Thank you for helping us help families to obtain or preserve safe, decent, affordable housing for themselves and their families. Sincerely, Carmen Morg and staff 3

4 Bethlehem Financial Information Below is a financial summary of our first months (July). For complete details we have full treasurer s report in church office. Church - July 1-31, 2017 Budget Projection Actual Income 62,635 59,565 Expenses 65,585 64,456 Total (2,950) (4,891) School - July 1-31, 2017 Budget Projection Actual Income 57,955 57,185 Expenses 48,338 45,211 Total 9,617 11,974 Combined Church & School - July 1-31, 2017 Budget Projection Actual Income 120, ,750 Expenses 113, ,667 Total 6,667 7,083 VLHS Contingency Notebook Workshop READY. SET. PREPARE. The Valley Lutheran High School Foundation presents: Contingency Notebook Workshop, presented by Sue Nunn on Tuesday, October 10, 6-8:30 pm in the Resource Center. Do you have a contingency notebook? Perhaps you do, but call it by another name. Maybe it is your emergency file or your crisis notebook. A contingency notebook is a three-ring binder containing all the information a loved one or personal representative needs to know should you become seriously incapacitated or die. When tragedy strikes, it is no time to go through drawers, filing cabinets and shoe boxes looking for pertinent information. Those who bear responsibility for your affairs need the relevant material immediately. Your up-to -date contingency notebook can make all the difference. You will leave this workshop with a folder of resources to help you organize your important information. Please register by contacting Krista Flory at or kflory@vlhs.com by October 3. Seating is limited. A light supper will be served. 4

5 EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE The following is used with permission from A Closer Look at the Evidence by Richard & Tina Kleiss Evidence from Common Sense It is not uncommon for students to complete 12 years of schooling without being exposed to any of the evidence for creation. Thus, many adults are either totally opposed to creation or consider the subject completely irrelevant. Yet there are thousands of well-documented books, videos, and periodicals available on the evidence for creation. Why are more people not being exposed to this evidence? Primarily because there is a strong form of censorship on this issue. Libraries seldom carry technical books dealing with the scientific evidence for creation, because these books are not on the approved library resource lists. A recent survey of the Grace A. Dow Public Library revealed over 200 books on cosmic, chemical, and biological evolution but only two was available showing the evidence for a worldwide flood or young Earth. Most public schools do not deal with the evidence, because they do not want the controversy. It is a common practice in school systems to discourage discussion on controversial subjects such as abortion, homosexuality, and evolution. Even in debate class, when the students can choose the topics, the creation/evolution discussion is often taboo. Given this suppression of the evidence for creation, is it any surprise that the subject is considered irrelevant to so many people? It is not a lack of evidence supporting creation which prevents its being accepted, but a subtle form of censorship which keeps most people from seeing the evidence. Bruce Malone For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Romans 1:18 Church Camping Trip CHURCH CAMPING TRIP at Bay City State Park on September Saturday events: cookout, kids games, campfire worship, songs and snacks. Register at midnrreservations.com. Suggested sites: # Text Jan Laux after you register at

6 Bethlehem s Rainbow Quilt Project A RAINBOW CROSS QUILTING PROJECT for the narthex is in the works. If you would like to help sew, please contact Alex Holcomb at aholcomb@bethlehemsaginaw.org If you have fabric in your stash or would like to buy some, donations are being accepted for half yards of calico fabric. Sign up here: Those Who Serve in Worship All schedules for volunteers who serve in worship are located on our website in the What s Happening tab. Click on the Worship Helpers Schedule subtab. September Altar Guild: Ann Gould, Etta Buckhahn, Irene Lange, Marion Reimer Church Mice: Norm Sowatsky, Ed Peitsch, Mel Hecht, Jim Scheyko Worship Helpers - September 3 & 4 9 am Contemporary 10:30 am Traditional 7 pm Monday Elders Grauf Harvey LeClair Ushers Team 3 Team 4 Team 7 Communion Bill Witting & Parks LeClair Lay Reader Jim Keel Video Ryan Mulder Worship Helpers - September 10 & 11 9 am Contemporary 10:30 am Traditional 7 pm Monday Elders Davis Keel Rodammer Ushers Team 5 Team 6 Team 8 Lay Reader Ruth LeRoux Video Brian LeRoux 6

7 Friends of Bethlehem GARAGE SALE ITEMS NEEDED: Wellspring Lutheran Services is accepting donations through September 5 of gently used items for their annual garage sale Hospice fundraiser. Donations can be dropped off at our office in Frankenmuth or we may be able to pick up small items. Contact Sheila at Tax receipts are available. HEIRS OF THE REFORMATION: A HYMN FESTIVAL to celebrate the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn on Sunday, October 1, at 4 pm. We would like to invite your choirs, pastor, and other members to sing in the Mass Choir for this event. Contact Nathan Beethe at or call or text rd ANNUAL WALTHER LEAGUE REUNION will be on September 23 from 11-3 pm at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. The speaker will be Mr. Timothy Hetzner, Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog Ministries. Send your check for $21.25 per person payable to Elna Kempff, 2252 Mallard Dr., Reese, MI by September 14 or call Include your name, phone number and address. BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS to St. Mark Lutheran Church in Shields for the Women in Mission Annual Card Party. Cards available or bring your own game to play. Thursday, September 21, from 6-8 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets, $5, are available from the office or at the door. Desserts, snacks and prizes are included in price. Proceeds go to Barb Gibbon for her fight against brain cancer. Call for info. VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL is celebrating its 40 th anniversary and you re invited to take part in the excitement at a special chapel service at 10 am on Wednesday, September 6, in the VLHS gym, marking the first day of school in The theme for the year is Blessed to be a Blessing, from Genesis 12:2, which will be the message from Rev. Dean Davenport. There will be special music, the installation of two teachers and a rededication of the faculty. Please join us in recognizing four decades of service in the Great Lakes Bay Region. ECONOMY CENTER NEEDS YOUR HELP. It s a thrift store operated by volunteers to support Wellspring. We are in the former Stambaugh Appliance building at 408 Columbus and need extra clerking help. Hours are Monday-Friday 10-4 pm, Saturday 10-3 pm. We could also use pricers on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 8 am (Rosie Taglauer ). Manpower needed to organize the storage area (Larry Pretzer ). PIG IN THE PINES is Nativity Lutheran Church s Community Pig Roast on Saturday, September 9, from 1-4 pm. Suggested donations are adults $7, children $4, or families $20 (kids 5 & under are free). There will be a silent auction, games, activities, music and dinner. Nativity is located at 625 W. Clinton, St. Charles. BASKETBALL: All men from are invited to play pick-up basketball games at Peace Lutheran School on Saturday mornings from 8-10 am starting September 9. Justin Hecht at or justinhecht1992@gmail.com. 7

8 Bethlehem Lutheran Church 808 Weiss Saginaw MI Bethlehem's Vision Changing Lives through Christ Bethlehem s Mission Sharing Christ s Love and Caring for All People Volume 41, Issue 9 The Bethlehem Connection (USPS ) is a once-a-month publication of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Inc., Saginaw, Michigan. Periodical postage paid to Saginaw, MI POSTMASTER. Send address changes to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 808 Weiss, Saginaw, MI