Bethlehem Star July 2018 Mission 2020 As you have read in the previous newsletters we are entering a process of listening, and selfexamination which we are giving the name Mission 2020. We have a group of 12 Bethlehem members who Bethlehem Lu ther an Ch u r ch have agreed to help form this process for the congregation. A major part of the process is listening. This is not a case of the Church issuing a mission for all congregations to implement. Rather we are encouraged to listen to God s Word; listen to our community of faith; and listen to the greater community. In this threefold listening process we are confident that we will discern how we may best serve in Christ s name. From listening well we believe we will be able to serve in effective and relevant ministry. In the coming months we will hopefully be announcing Bible Studies as we listen to God; we will offer surveys and conversation opportunities in small gatherings; we will ask for help as we reach out into the community to hear what we can learn there. As a first installment of listening to God and Word I re-offer these seven faith practices. They are a product of careful and prayerful listening to how the Word shapes our faith life together. Each one of these practices is part of a full faith. We as individuals and as a congregation may be better at one or more practices and not as much at another. But each practice is part of our life together in Christ. The seven faith practices of the E.L.C.A. Call to Discipleship P R AY... Pray Talk to God Frequently Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1Thessalonians 5:16-18). S T U D Y...Christian Education...Study Scripture Diligently Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). W O R S H I P... Worship Praise the Lord Regularly I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together (Psalm 34:1-3). I N V I T E...Evangelism...Invite Others Often But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Rm. 10:14-15). E N C O U R A G E...Teaching/Mentoring...Pass on the Faith Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action (1 John 3:18). S E RV E...Social and Justice Ministry...Serve for the Sake of Others For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). G I V E...Stewardship...Give Freely...give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back (Luke 6:38). Hear the Word, live the Word. You can well imagine how faith is full when each practice is part of your life. We are moving into God s future for us; therefore with bold confidence we Rise up to the Challenge of Renewal. Pastor Mark
Youth and Family news
Mission of the Month: Mission 2020 Planning Team : India Seminary Scholarship Fund of Northeast MN Synod. Our NE MN synod is helping our companion synod in the South Andhra Lutheran Church of India. Your contributions help make seminary education possible in this vibrant mission area where Lutheran Churches are growing. This is of course a Christ centered grace filled mission serving groups who are part of the reformation of their society. In 2011 the SALC ordained their first woman pastor. Now Women who become candidates for ministry are eligible for two scholarships. Formed in 1952 and now serving 60,000 members the SALC is pleased to be our companion. Please use the envelopes in the pew pockets and or note on your donation India Seminary Scholarship July Mission of the Month. The next meeting of the Mission 2020 planning team will be on Sunday, July 15 th at 11:15 am in the Church Library. We will be considering ways to share the ways of listening to God s mission as well as begin the process of listening to members. Vacation Bible School What a wonderful four days experiencing the love of Christ! We served 63 children through our VBS program this year. The crew from Covenant Pines Bible Camp brought an energy to the program that the kids loved. This year we added an afternoon service project for our older kids. Through these service projects, we served our community by helping an older community member with her yard work, planting trees in the Grand Marais Recreational Park, cleaning up trash by the football field and Community Park, playing Bingo at the Care Center and cleaning up our church after VBS ended. This was a great addition to the program and we all enjoyed giving back to our community. A huge thank you to our adult and our middle and high school volunteers that helped throughout the week. We are so grateful for the time, energy and love that you shared!
Care Center Worship this month On Sunday, July 22 nd our congregation is responsible for conducting the worship service at the Care Center. Please consider joining us at 12:30 p.m. for a service that will include the lessons for the day, a briefer sermon, and a hymn sing with the residents. Then I encourage you to stay for a short coffee time afterward. These services are wonderful ways we can brighten our friends Sunday afternoon. Our next opportunity will be October 7 th Worship Notes This summer we are using the swinging Detroit Folk Mass at the regular worship time of 10:00 a.m. We will interrupt that liturgy three times in July. As a special worship event we will be using the Michael DeBevec Jazz Liturgy on July 15 th. On July 22 we will have another special day of worship when the North Shore Community Band leads our worship service with great big band sound. On July 29 Paul Muus will lead us in a Blended Service. National Youth Gathering 2018 We are headed to the National Youth Gathering in Houston Texas, on June 25th. The youth attending the conference this year are Chase Bronikowski, Amy Carpenter, Cecelia Chmelik, Molly LaVigne, Isaac Sandstrom, Izabella Sparks, and Ella Sporn. The adult leaders are Casey Bronikowski, Leah Carpenter, Anna Sandstrom and Cara Sporn. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel to serve the Houston community and discover how God's call, God's love, God's grace and God's hope can change everything in people's lives. Keep an eye on the church Facebook page. I'll be posting pictures throughout the gathering. We look forward to sharing stories about our experience with you when we return. Men s Canoe Trip 2018 will be July 16-20. There is room for more men. The campfire discussions this year will take shape around Harold Kushner s book Who Needs God. 101 Envelopes We raised over $2,500.00 from our "101 Envelopes" fundraiser! What a success! Thank you to everyone that contributed. Your contributions helped us host VBS, provide camperships for our youth to attend summer camp, help fund the trip to the National Gathering and so much more. Thank you for supporting the BLC Youth! Bible Class: Open the Bible with Pastor Mark This month we open the Bible with the last session Sunday, July 8: The Church writings from Acts to Revelation. Open for everyone.
B e thle h em Luther an C h ur ch 417 W. 1st Ave. Box 638 Grand Marais, MN 55604 Phone: 218 387-2227 Non Profit Org. US Postage Paid Permit #3 Grand Marais, MN 55604 E-mail: blc@boreal.org Belonging to Christ, Sharing Christ on the North Shore and beyond.