Bethany Lutheran Church, ELCA, News & Events

New Bethany Website and Technology Changes

2014-12-22T11:58:00.001-08:00

Bethany Lutheran Church
76 W. Crystal Lake Ave
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815-459-2690

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New Website

And Other Technology Changes

Behind the scenes, Bethany Lutheran Staff and volunteers have been working hard these last few months creating a new website as we transition away from Member Connect (our old email system, which is going away as of Dec. 31).

Below is a preview of our new website. There will likely be some technology hiccups as we transfer old data to new systems, so please be patient with us if things aren't quite like you are used to when the new year begins! Let us know if (a) you stop receiving emails after the new year or if (b) you are receiving unwanted emails.

Blessings,
Bethany Staff

Same Address, New Look

This is the home page for our new website. You'll notice right away that we tried to make the site friendly to first time visitors. Hopefully folks looking for a new church home will be able to get a good feel for Bethany Lutheran Church.

Further down on the main page, you'll notice we've also included important information like our worship times, ways to get involved and calendar items from the Bethany Weekly. By scrolling down the page, you'll also find a map so visitors can find our church and some other links and information.

Don't worry about having to find our new website. We will be keeping the same web address that we've always used (www.bethanylc.com). Until the new site goes up (on or before Jan. 1), www.bethanylc.com will continue to take you to the old page, but after it goes up, you will automatically be directed to the new webpage. You won't need to change anything! The same bookmarks you've always used will take you to the new webpage.

Calendar

You'll be able to find a lot of fun new features on the website, including a "Virtual Tour" of our building, a short history of our church, and many other things. When the site goes up (don't worry, we'll let you before it happens), please take some time to browse around and familiarize yourself with all the new additions.

Perhaps one of the most critical features is the new calendar. To find the calendar, simply scroll your mouse over the the "Connect" tab near the top of the screen, and click "Calendar" from the drop down menu. Here you'll be able to find everything that is happening at Bethany in the near and distant future.

Member Invitation

The new website has some members-only features that will allow you to access information that non-members can't, but in order to do so you will need to "Sign In." Sometime in the next few weeks, you will receive an email that will look something like the photo you see above. In order to set up an account, you will need to click the "Accept Invitation" link and then follow the online instructions to create a profile for the site. If you don't receive an email like this by January 1, let us know.

Once your account is set up, you'll be able to log in directly from the homepage by clicking "Sign In" at the top right corner of the new website.

Once signed up, you will be able to access information such as phone numbers and addresses of other Bethany Members by scrolling over to the "Connect" tab at the top of the new web page, and then clicking "Members" from the drop down menu.

If you don't create an account, you will still be able to visit most pages on the new website. However, you won't be able to access the "Members Only" features.

As with any technology changes, we expect there to be some bumps in the road. Please let us know if you stop receiving emails, if emails are sent to the wrong address, or if you are receiving unwanted emails after the new year.

Copyright © 2014 Bethany Lutheran Church, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a member or friend of Bethany Lutheran Church.

Our mailing address is:

Bethany Lutheran Church

76 W. Crystal Lake Ave

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Call Committee Elected

2014-12-22T11:11:00.001-08:00

Call Committee Elected

At the December 16 Congregation Council Meeting the Council elected and the following persons accepted as members of the Call Committee for the next pastoral leader of Bethany Lutheran Church:

Joel Thoreson

Steve Young

Tammy Nobbe

Jerry Shaffer

Susan Gavle

Susan Thome

Andrew Bradshaw

Please keep these persons in your thoughts and prayers as they discern with the help of the Holy Spirit who will be the next pastoral leader for Bethany Lutheran Church that they will nominate to the Council and the Council will then forward toi the congregation for call.

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Proposed By-Law Ammendment

2014-12-18T10:16:00.001-08:00

Special Notice to the Congregation

Proposed By-Law Change

Recommended by the Congregation Council

Resolved to change by-law C4.05.01

from

Bethany Lutheran Church mission statement: "Gatherinng people together for renewal and service."

Bethany Lutheran Church mission statement: "We reflect Christ in message and actions."

For consideration at the annual meeting of the congregation January 25, 2015.

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

2015 Adult Education

2014-12-18T06:29:00.001-08:00

Bethany Lutheran Church

76 W. Crystal Lake St.
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815-459-2690

2015 Adult Ed Opportunities

Grow in faith. Expand your mind. Explore God's world.

Hi Bethany Lutheran! Many of you have been asking about the Adult Education opportunities for 2015 and here they are! This is what we will be offering up to (and in some cases through) Lent.
As always, please email Pr. Paul to sign up.
Blessings!

Animate Faith

Sundays, 9am,
Jan 11th - Feb 22nd

The Animate Faith Bible Study is a DVD based curriculum featuring some of the most popular contemporary Christian thinkers of our Day, including Nadia Boltz-Weber and Brian McLaren.

Parenting Teens

Wednesdays, 8-9pm
Jan 14^th, 21^st & 28^th

Struggling to get along with those moody teenagers at home? You're not alone! A Masters Level Social Worker who works with at risk teens, Megan Paul, will lead this class on how to parent your teens in peace.

Theology on Tap

1^st Thursdays (typically),
7:30-9pm @ Duke's Alehouse

Join us for a beverage of choice and some conversation about God, life and whatever else comes up!

Financial Peace University

Tuesdays January and February
Time TBD.

Financial Peace is a nationally recognized Christian based financial planning program, which has helped thousands of people take charge of their home finances.

Marriage Workshop

Friday, Feb 20^th
6-9pm (Dinner Provided)
AND Saturday, February 21^st
9am-12pm (Snacks Provided)

Learn the 7 Principals for Making Marriage Work in this two day workshop, taught by Paula Briedis, a licensed clinical professional counselor.
Cost: $TBD

Lutheranism 101

Wednesdays, 7-8pm
Jan 14^th – Feb 11^th

What the heck is a Lutheran anyway? What do we believe? Why do we believe it? Come and find out! Taught by the Rev. Len Hoffmann.

Living the Questions

Mondays (ongoing) 7-8:30 pm

starting in January

If you're looking to delve into questions of faith, this video Bible Study series, featuring world renowned theologians, is for you.

Men's Group

1^st Saturdays,
7:30-9am @ Bethany

Check out the Men's Group for fellowship and Bible study over a cup of coffee.

News and Faith

Sundays, 9am,
Jan. 11th-Feb. 22nd

Interested in what's going on in the world today? Come talk about it with a group of peers in Luther Hall.

Sips 'n Scriptures

1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, 9am.
Locations vary.

Get your day started right with some coffee/tea and a Bible Study.

To sign up for any of these classes, please email Pr. Paul Cannon (paul.cannon@bethanylc.com)

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Bethany Lutheran Church · 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave · Crystal Lake, IL 60014 · USA

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Fiancial Stewardship Update Errata

2014-12-17T12:17:00.001-08:00

It is not too late to add your Estimates to this great response of gratitude from God's People. In 2015 we had 164 commitments for Annual Support and 88 commitments for Mortgage Retirement.

2015 should have read 2014 164 and 88 commitments respectively.

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Financial Stewardship Campaign Update

2014-12-17T12:12:00.001-08:00

Financial Stewardship Update

As of 12-16-14

Total Estimate of Giving for 2015 from 112 Households $322,386 Annual Support

2014 Estimates $282,731 or 14% increase

Total Estimate of Giving for 2015 from 64 Households $75,899 for Mortgage

2014 Estimates $69,609 or 9% increase

Total Estimate of Giving from 27 Household $12,462 Property Reserve

It is not too late to add your Estimates to this great response of gratitude from God's People. In 2015 we had 164 commitments for Annual Support and 88 commitments for Mortgage Retirement.

Your response is important to your planning and ours as together we seek to Reflect Christ in Messge and Actions.

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

Bethany Weekly Correction

2014-12-17T08:34:00.001-08:00

Bethany Lutheran Church

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Whoops!

We sent you the wrong link to the Bethany Weekly.

For the correct copy, click here.

Copyright © 2014 Bethany Lutheran Church, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a member or friend of Bethany Lutheran Church.

Our mailing address is:

Bethany Lutheran Church

76 W. Crystal Lake Ave

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Add us to your address book

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Wednesday Words

2014-12-17T06:59:00.001-08:00

Bethany Wednesday Words

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Hey Bethany Lutheran,
Thanks for all the positive feedback! It looks like this is something we will continue doing as a staff. As always, don't hesitate to contact us with your questions.
Blessings,
Pr. Paul

Wednesday Words

December 17th, 2014
Pastor Len Hoffmann

On the fourth Sunday in Advent the church turns to Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, as an example of humility and obedience.

Mary is obviously stunned by the message of the angel that she has been the favored and chosen one who will bear a son and will call his name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

To Read More, Click Here...

For a Copy of the Bethany Weekly, Click Here

Advent Service

Longest Night Worship - Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 pm

We especially invite those who have experienced loss or who find it difficult to celebrate Christmas.

Sunday Night Service

Sunday, December 21 3^rd Sunday of the Month Worship 5:00 pm

Christmas Eve Worship

5:00 pm. Family Candlelight Worship

7:00 pm - Festival Worship with Strings
10:30 pm - Festival Candlelight Worship with Brass

Lessons & Carols

Sunday, December 28 Lessons and Carols 9:00 and 10:30 am.

(There will be no 8:00 am Worship this day.)

Click Here for the Sunday Readings:
Luke 1:26-38
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Romans 16:25-27

It's not too late to submit your estimate of giving for 2015. Please place your Estimate of Giving Card in the offering plate, or return it to the church office. If you wish you may set up your weekly or monthly giving by going online at www.bethanylc.com and select the green Give Online button, register and follow instructions.

All 2014 Offerings need to be received by December 31 to count toward 2014 giving.

Give Online

Forward

Copyright © 2014 Bethany Lutheran Church, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a member or friend of Bethany Lutheran Church.

Our mailing address is:

Bethany Lutheran Church

76 W. Crystal Lake Ave

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Add us to your address book

unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences

[Bethany Lutheran Church] 2015 Evelopes

2014-12-15T05:00:00.001-08:00

2015 Envelopes

There are three primary Envelopes for 2015 that also correspond to your Estimate of Giving Cards, if you chose to submit an estimate of your giving.

There is a weekly envelope for Annual Fund or Regular Giving

There is a weekly envelope for Debt Retirement (Mortage Payment)

(There is no longer a separate mortgage envelope mailing to save costs)

There is a monthly envelope for Property Reserve.

If you use simply giving, your gifts go to the annual fund, unless you have indicated otherwise on your Authorization Form, or you have made a different selection in Give Online.

Thank you for your faithful support of God's mission through Bethany!

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Congregational Gathering Fanning the Flame Report

2014-12-12T06:59:00.001-08:00

This event reminder is from Bethany Lutheran Church

Congregational Gathering Fanning the Flame Report(View Online)
What:	Meeting
When:	Sun, Dec 14, 2014, 9:00a - 10:00a
Where:	Luther Hall
Report to the Congregation on the Five Sessions of Fanning the Flame Purpose and Planning Process Steps to Expect During the Transition for Our Congregation

To subscribe to the "Bethany Lutheran Church" calendar (which provides all events and automatic updating), copy and paste this URL into any calendar program that supports the iCal format: https://BethanyLC.ctsMemberConnect.net/webcal.ics?groupId=37121

To import this one event into your calendar program, use this link: https://f1.ctsmemberconnect.net/garoupdb/icsfiles/occur-9753640.ics.

[ MemberId=815575 OrgId=1184 GroupId=37121 EventId=706060 OccurId=9753640 ]

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Thank You!

2014-12-12T04:00:00.001-08:00

Thank You for Your Support!

We want to thank everyone who currently has responded with their estimate of giving for 2015.

As Bethany prepares fo a new year, it is important to know what suppport we can depend on from our congregation members. By knowing what you are willing to commit financially, we are able to better plan for the future. Please consider setting up a recurring giving plan. Automating your financial support means your contributions will be received on a steady, uninterrupted basis.

To set up a recurring giving schedule, visit us online at www.bethanylc.com, locate the green Give Online button and set up your recurring giving schedule. The first time you give you will select a password that will enable you to log in at any time and make an additional gift, or view your giving history. If it is easier for you you may complete the paper authorization form you received in your stewardship mailing and return it to the church office.

Another option is to set up an automated gift through your online banking account.

Finally, if you wish to continue to give through your envelopes, please return your estimate of giving card. You may place it in the offering plate on Sunday or return it to the church office.

Again, thank you for all that you do to support God's mission through Bethany.

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Help us plan for Christmas - Christmas Eve Worship helpers NEEDED!

2014-12-11T13:00:00.001-08:00

Thanks to your responses, we have made great progress finding worship helpers for our Christmas Eve services. With 13 days to go, we are still looking for helpw ith the following:

5 p.m. Worship helpers:

3 communion servers: the communion server holds the communion cup, wipes it off after someone sips and says "The blood of Christ shed for you."

7 p.m. Worship helpers

Everything is covered and we have a couple backup people as well. Thanks so much!

10:30 p.m. Worship helper needs:

1 communion server: the communion server holds the communion cup, wipes it off after someone sips and says "The blood of Christ shed for you."
1 acolyte: the acolyte role is not only to light the candles, but to help with the communion distribution. They hold the cup of wine and the cup of grape juice for dipping and share the words "The blood of Christ shed for you".

Please check your Christmas Eve worship plans. Then let me know as soon as possible (December 15 at the latest so this information can be included in the bulletins.) if you can help with any of these opportunities as we prepare for celebrating the Savior's birth.

THANKS!

This email sent by:

Sandra Teiken

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Weekly Newsletter

2014-12-10T04:00:00.001-08:00

Wednesday Words for December 10, 2014

From Interim Senior Pastor Len Hoffmann

Please Click on the Bethany Weekly Newsletter below

“Christ is the Key to Unlocking Our Hearts”

Tonight Midweek Advent Worship at 7:00 pm - Holden Evening Prayer

The Story of St. Lucia

Saturday, December 13, Christmas Caroling meet at 3:45 pm in Luther Hall

Presenting the Fanning the Flame Results December 14 at 9:00 am.

Children’s Christmas Program Sunday, December 14 at 3:30 pm.

Longest Night Worship - Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 pm

(Especially for those who have experienced loss or who find it difficult to celebrate Christmas)

Christmas Eve Worship - 5:00 pm. Family Candlelight Worship

7:00 and 10:30 pm Festival Candlelight Worship

Sunday, December 28 Lessons and Carols 9:00 and 10:30 am.

(There will be no 8:00 am Worship this day.)

It’s not too late to submit your estimate of giving for 2015. Please place your Estimate of Giving Card in the offering plate, or return it to the church office. If you wish you may set up your weekly or monthly giving by going online at www.bethanylc.com and select the green Give Online button, register and follow instructions.

Thought for the Day

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed.” Psalm 126:3

This Sunday at Bethany:

In the past this Third Sunday in Advent was titled “Gaudate Sunday” or “Rejoice Sunday.” It is the theme of the lessons for this week. Yet, we know that there are many who find it difficult to rejoice this time of year because of injustices and loss.

In the past weeks we have seen many U.S, citizens lifting up their voices in protest over the uneven application of the law, particularly as they are enforced by some members of law enforcement in some of our communities in the U.S. Some of those who are using this protest as an opportunity for violence and destruction are to be renounced and prosecuted. Yet, those who are legally expressing their first amendment rights speak out on behalf of those who feel that justice in this country has failed them and are seeking a long term solution to this age old problem of inequality.

Also, this week, we have as a nation confessed that it was outof fear we that took unjust and unwarranted measures as we tortured those suspected of having information that may have been useful to us in fighting terrorism. We violated our values, but we were willing to let the world know that justice also requires mercy.

Obviously, these are not stories about which we rejoice, just as there is little rejoicing among those who have lost loved ones, those who have lost employment, those who have experienced broken relationships, and those who have experienced a variety of other kinds of losses.

In the midst of all of this bad news there is the good news of Jesus advent among us. The Lord has done great things for us and so, we are glad indeed.

One of my favorite quotes has been attributed to a number of people, but the one I have is attributed to St. Teresa of Avila, and it goes like this,"Joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God." Yes, there is joy in the midst of suffering and loss because the Lord has done great things for us. We take comfort in the peace, love and joy that comes to us in Jesus now and each day, even in the midst of sorrow and loss. So, we rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.

Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

Pr. Len

Third Sunday in Advent

First Reading Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Though the people had returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon, they continued to face hardship and oppression. In the language of the jubilee year described in Leviticus 25, the prophet, moved by the spirit of the Lord, announces deliverance for those who are oppressed and comfort for those who mourn.

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
²to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
³to provide for those who mourn in Zion —
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.
⁴They shall build up the ancient ruins,
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
⁸For I the LORD love justice,
I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
⁹Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge
that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed.
¹⁰I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
¹¹For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.

Second Reading I Thessalonians 5:16-24

Paul concludes his letter to the Thessalonians by encouraging them to live lives of continual joy, prayer, and thanksgiving. The closing blessing is grounded in the hope of Christ's coming.

¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰Do not despise the words of prophets, ²¹but test everything; hold fast to what is good; ²²abstain from every form of evil.
²³May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Gospel John1:6-8, 19-28

John's gospel describes Jesus as the "light of the world." John the Baptist is presented as a witness to Jesus, one who directs attention away from himself to Christ, the true light.

⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ¹⁹This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" ²⁰He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." ²¹And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." ²²Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" ²³He said,
"I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
'Make straight the way of the Lord,'"
as the prophet Isaiah said.
²⁴Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. ²⁵They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" ²⁶John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." ²⁸This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 12-10-14 Wednesday.pdf

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Year End Giving and Tax Planning

2014-12-08T10:44:00.001-08:00

Bethany Lutheran Church, ELCA

76 W. Crystal Lake Avenue

The Rev. Dr. Len Hoffmann, Interim Senior Pastor Phone: 815.459.2690

The Rev. Paul F. Cannon, Associate Pastor Fax: 815.459.8807

E-mail: hurchoffice@bethanylc.com
www.bethanylc.com

Year-End Giving and Tax Planning

December 7, 2014

Greetings from the land of accounting and tax:
The ministries at Bethany Lutheran Church have enjoyed another year of fulfilling work. Praise be to God.

Thousands of dollars went to maintain the beautiful Bethany building for worship and Bethany’s many ministries.
Thousands of dollars went to pay people to bring us worship that inspires us and programs that enrich our lives.

Thousands of dollars went to reach out to our community and the rest of the world because as a church that is important to us.
             We are a very blessed congregation. Some of us may have also been blessed with enrichment in our investment portfolios. It has been a great year for the stock market. It may be a good time to take some of those profits off the table.
             Do you want to make a tax-deductible charitable contribution, help your church meet its financial goals, and take advantage of some investment benefits? How about transferring some of that investment to Bethany Lutheran Church? Here’s the checklist (only good for donating long-term capital assets):
Contact your broker / financial planner to transfer investments to:
Bethany Lutheran Church
Federal ID # 36-2949408
76 W Crystal Lake Ave.
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Note: Do not sell the stock, transfer the shares that you wish to donate.
Contact the church office at Bethany for the name of the church’s broker to which to transfer the stock.
Include in your tax return Form 1040 Schedule A Charitable Contributions the full market value of the investment you donated; the average of the high and the low for the day.
           Wow! You just deducted a charitable contribution for the full value of the investment without having to pay tax on the capital gain. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Kurt Schneider, CPA

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Congregational Gathering Fanning the Flame Report

2014-12-05T11:53:00.001-08:00

This event reminder is from Bethany Lutheran Church

Congregational Gathering Fanning the Flame Report(View Online)
What:	Meeting
When:	Sun, Dec 14, 2014, 9:00a - 10:00a
Where:	Luther Hall
Report to the Congregation on the Five Sessions of Fanning the Flame Purpose and Planning Process Steps to Expect During the Transition for Our Congregation

To import this one event into your calendar program, use this link: https://f1.ctsmemberconnect.net/garoupdb/icsfiles/occur-9753640.ics.

[ MemberId=815575 OrgId=1184 GroupId=37121 EventId=706060 OccurId=9753640 ]

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Weekly Newsletter

2014-12-03T04:00:00.001-08:00

Wednesday Words for December 3, 2014

From Interim Senior Pastor Len Hoffmann

Please Click on the Bethany Weekly Newsletter below

“Christ is the Key to Unlocking Our Hearts”

Tonight Midweek Advent Worship at 7:00 pm - Holden Evening Prayer

Fanning the Flame Congregational Gathering at 7:30 pm following Advent Worship

Tonight! Our Final Fanning the Flame Event!

Soup Supper 5:45 - 6:15 pm; Purpose and Planning Session 6:30 – 7:00 pm

Sharing Our Gifts-Unlocking our Potential

Men’s Ministry Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 am in the Library

Topic: The Human Jesus - Luke 4:14-30

Stay and help change lights in the Sanctuary

Mission Support Sunday - December 7, 2014

Dedication of Estimate of Giving Cards for 2015

Please prayerfully ask for God’s leading as you determine your response!

Congregational Gathering

Presenting the Fanning the Flame Results December 14 at 9:00 am.

Children’s Christmas Program Sunday, December 14 at 3:30 pm.

Longest Night Worship - Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 pm

Christmas Eve Worship - 5:00 pm Family Candlelight Worship

7:00 and 10:30 pm Festival Candlelight Worship

Sunday, December 28 Lessons and Carols 9:00 and 10:30 am.

(There will be no 8:00 am Worship this day.)

Help us achieve our remaining Annual Fund Giving Goal of $100,000 by December 31.

Go to our website and click on the green “Give Online” button.

All gifts must be given or postmarked by December 31 to be credited to your 2014 giving.

Thought for the Day: Empowered by God — Responding by Grace

“Now as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you —

so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking” (2 Cor. 8:7).

Sunday at Bethany

This is the final article in our Stewardship Emphasis for this year. On Sunday we will prayerfully dedicate our Estimate of Giving Cards as we celebrate our support for God’s Mission. Your estimate of giving assists in two ways: 1) it assists you In planning your first fruits giving and placing God’s Mission into your financial priorities; 2) like our personal income it helps us plan for mission and ministry through Bethany in the coming year.

In fact if you wish to assure that your gifts are received whether you are here or away you may use the Simply Giving form you received in the mail this week or you may go online and use the green Give Online button to schedule your giving on a regular basis from your bank account or with your credit card. In doing so God’s Mission will receive your regular gifts and allow us to keep our ministry strong as we prepare the way for a New Director for Worship and Principal Organist and a new Pastoral Leader. Like John the Baptist we prepare and further God’s Mission.

As we make our way to Mission Support Sunday I want to share a brief note that I received from Susan Gavle who offers a compelling story of her personal experience with the use of God’s Gifts Susan writes;

Empowered by God….Responding with Grace

Two big words here….Grace and Empowered. They connected for me in a meaningful way this year. I found that Grace is mentioned 170 times in the Bible and basically means “blessings/gifts” not deserved but freely given.” Two years ago my Mom’s sister died and she gifted my Mom with an inheritance. Mom would say, “This is Elaine’s money, not mine” whenever she would use it or gift it. She was so adamant about what an undeserved blessing it was, a true gift, giving her financial security at age 92. When Mom died in May, the inheritance passed onto the family. I didn’t earn it any more than my Mom did, “a blessing freely given and not deserved.” What to do with it?

Now comes the second word, Empowered. I recall the joy and fun, yes fun, when the committee I was on was given the task of giving away the first 10% of the Carlson bequest. We GRACED others with $140,000!!! We felt empowered. Could I do that as an individual? Could I take my undeserved gift and Grace others? Could I tithe away 10%? Let’s just say I am having a lot of fun and finding joy….Border Crisis, Ebola, BUNN coffee maker in the kitchen, world hunger, and even something unglamorous like carpet cleaning. (Yes, the polar vortex heating bills meant some yearly tasks had to be put on hold).

About 20 years ago Fred McCullough sat in our family room with fellow members of BLC and explained that stewardship meant taking care of things that are not really ours. A good steward cares for and leaves things better than she found them. I am trying to use time, talent and my treasure to care for others, the church, and to leave the world better than it was the day before. God has gifted me but God has also empowered me to do something with that gift. Elaine’s gift to Mom; Mom’s gift to me and my gift to others…just paying it forward.

You have also been Graced freely with gifts. Let God Empower you to put your time, talent and treasures to work.

Thank you Susan!

Pr. Len

Second Sunday in Advent

First Reading Isaiah 40:1-11

In grand, flowing, poetic lines, the prophet announces that the exile of God's people in Babylon is over. The Lord will deliver Israel and will care for her as a shepherd cares for his sheep. This word can be trusted, because the only enduring reality in life is the word of the Lord.

Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
²Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins.
³A voice cries out:
"In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
⁴Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
⁵Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
⁶A voice says, "Cry out!"
And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
⁷The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
⁸The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever.
⁹Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
"Here is your God!"
¹⁰See, the Lord GOD comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
¹¹He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead the mother sheep.

Second Reading 2 Peter3:8-15a

This short letter deals with pressing concerns regarding the final advent of Jesus, especially concerns that could arise over its apparent delay. The author of the letter calls on Christians to anticipate the promised coming of the Lord through conduct dedicated to God.

⁸But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. ⁹The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
¹¹Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, ¹²waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? ¹³But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
¹⁴Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; ¹⁵and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

Gospel Mark 1:1-8

The Gospel of Mark does not begin with a story of Jesus' birth but with the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
²As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
³the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,'"
⁴John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. ⁸I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 12-3-14 Wednesday.pdf

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Giving Tuesday

2014-12-02T09:11:00.001-08:00

Giving Tuesday

On December 2 - Giving Tuesday

Make a Special Gift

To assist us meeting our mission and ministry goal for 2014

Go to our website www.bethanylc.com and click on the

Green Online Giving Button

Register yourself and make a gift to the Annual Fund

Only $100,000 to go to meet our ministry goal for 2014

This email sent by:

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Help us plan for Christmas - Christmas Eve Worship helpers NEEDED!

2014-11-29T08:00:00.001-08:00

Yes, we have quickly moved to December.

This Sunday, November 30, is the 1st Sunday of Advent. The 1st candle on the Advent wreath will be lit and we begin to prepare and wait for the birth of the Christ child.

Here in the office, we are busy preparing for our Christmas Eve Worship services and are in need of some worship helpers for each of our services as follows:

5 p.m. Worship helper needs include:

4 ushers: the ushers greet people, pass out worship information and the candles for the candlelight hymn, collect the offering and direct people to communion.
4 acolytes: the acolyte role is not only to light the candles, but to help with the communion distribution. They hold the cup of wine and the cup of grape juice for dipping and share the words "The blood of Christ shed for you".
4 communion servers: the communion server holds the communion cup, wipes it off after someone sips and says "The blood of Christ shed for you."

7 p.m. Worship helper needs include:

4 acolytes: the acolyte role is not only to light the candles, but to help with the communion distribution. They hold the cup of wine and the cup of grape juice for dipping and share the words "The blood of Christ shed for you".
1 more communion server: the communion server holds the communion cup, wipes it off after someone sips and says "The blood of Christ shed for you."

10:30 p.m. Worship helper needs include:

4 ushers: the ushers greet people, pass out worship information and the candles for the candlelight hymn, collect the offering and direct people to communion.
4 acolytes: the acolyte role is not only to light the candles, but to help with the communion distribution. They hold the cup of wine and the cup of grape juice for dipping and share the words "The blood of Christ shed for you".

Please check your Christmas Eve worship plans. Then let me know as soon as possible (December 10 at the latest so this information can be included in the bulletins.) if you can help with any of these opportunities as we prepare celebrating the Savior's birth.

THANKS!

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Giving Tuesday

2014-11-28T08:15:00.001-08:00

Black Friday Cyber Monday

Giving Tuesday

On December 2 - Giving Tuesday

Make a Special Gift

To assist us meeting our mission and ministry goal for 2014

Go to our website www.bethanylc.com and click on the

Green Online Giving Button

Register yourself and make a gift to the Annual Fund

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Fanning the Flame of Renewal

2014-11-27T15:44:00.001-08:00

This event reminder is from Bethany Lutheran Church

Fanning the Flame of Renewal(View Online)
What:	Meeting
When:	Wed, Dec 3, 2014, 5:45p - 7:00p
Where:	Luther Hall
RSVP:	Click here to indicate if you will attend or not

To import this one event into your calendar program, use this link: https://f1.ctsmemberconnect.net/garoupdb/icsfiles/occur-9668411.ics.

[ MemberId=815575 OrgId=1184 GroupId=37121 EventId=698338 OccurId=9668411 ]

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Weekly Newsletter

2014-11-26T04:00:00.001-08:00

Wednesday Words for November 26, 2014

From Interim Senior Pastor Len Hoffmann

Please click below to view Bethany Weekly Newsletter

Tonight at 7:00 pm

Thanksgiving Worship followed by Pie Fest 2014

Please bring a pie to share!

Sunday Worship 8:00, 9:00, and 10:30 am

Children’s Church, Sunday School and Adult Education at 9:00 am.

New Coffee and Get Acquainted Hour 10:00 am.

Worship (Third Sunday of the Month) 5:00 pm.

Large Print Bulletins and Celebrates are available from the Ushers

Sunday, November 30 - Advent 1

9:00 am Advent Fair in the Community Room for Children, Youth and Adults

10:00 am Alternative Giving Opportunities – Luther Hall

Midweek Advent Worship Begins Wednesday, December 3 at 7:00 pm

Holden Evening Prayer

Our next Fanning the Flame event will be December 3. Soup Supper 5:45 - 6:15 pm

Purpose and Planning Session 6:30 – 7:00 pm – Sharing Our Gifts-Unlocking our Potential

Congregational Update on Purpose and Planning Process at 7:30 pm following Advent Worship

Mission Support Sunday

December 7, 2014

Dedication of Estimate of Giving Cards for 2015

Help us achieve our Annual Fund Giving Goal of $145,000 by December 31.

Go to our website and click on the green “Give Online” button.

All Gifts must be given or postmarked by December 31 to be credited to your 2014 giving.

Thought for the Day:

Empowered by God — Responding by Grace

“Now as you excel in everything — in faith,

in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness,

and in our love for you — so we want you to

excel also in this generous undertaking” (2 Cor. 8:7).

Sunday at Bethany:

In our first article as part of this year’s stewardship emphasis, we saw how God is our Source, how all that we have comes from God, how God empowers and enables us, and how we respond by grace through faith. We also saw that like the Macedonian Christians, we are to first give ourselves to the Lord as good stewards of the grace of God.

Sometimes, when stewardship is mentioned, people wrongly conclude that giving money is all that is involved. Not so. Giving does include our financial resources, but it goes far beyond money and actually encompasses three primary resources. These are what might be called “building blocks” in God’s “school of faith” which constitutes “lifestyle stewardship” or “total discipleship.”

The final building block in our lifestyle of stewardship is the matter of our treasure. Don’t be confused. Money cannot buy salvation. Money cannot buy eternal life. Money can’t even buy security which God alone provides. As with our time and talents, how we use money is an indication of our priorities. Think about the process: God owns everything. According to Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s.” God has never relinquished the title deed to the world, but God enables us to enjoy that which rightfully belongs to God. God then seeks to have us return a portion of what has been entrusted to us through our giving.

Giving is not to help God or the church pay bills. Giving is not because God needs anything from us. Giving is God’s way of growing us as disciples. Every time we give for God’s glory from our hearts, which have been redeemed by God’s love and grace, we give away a little of our selfishness. Every time we give of our resources, we grow in grace and in our walk with Christ.

Writing in “Our Daily Bread,” Anne Cetas described her pastor’s way of illustrating the truths of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. He placed an offering plate on the floor and stepped into it. He then stood there as he talked about the importance of giving our whole selves to the Lord. Anne then suggested, “The next time the offering plate comes around at church, imagine your-self stepping into it. It will help you to excel in the grace of giving.”

As you consider your life during this time of stewardship emphasis, will you — like the Macedonian Christians — excel in the “grace of giving” by first giving yourself to the Lord? Will you then respond by grace through giving your time, your talents and your treasure to be used by God in this ministry?

As you consider your response to these questions seek the Lord’s direction and excel in this generous undertaking.

Pr. Len

First Sunday in Advent

FIRST READING ISAIAH 64:l-9

This lament comes from a people who have had their hopes shattered. The visions of a rebuilt Jerusalem and a renewed people of God, spoken of in Isaiah 40—55, have not been realized. Instead, the people experience ruin, conflict, and famine. This lament calls God to account—to be the God who has brought deliverance in the past.

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,
so that the mountains would quake at your presence —
²as when fire kindles brushwood
and the fire causes water to boil —
to make your name known to your adversaries,
so that the nations might tremble at your presence!
³When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect,
you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
⁴From ages past no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who works for those who wait for him.
⁵You meet those who gladly do right,
those who remember you in your ways.
But you were angry, and we sinned;
because you hid yourself we transgressed.
⁶We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
⁷There is no one who calls on your name,
or attempts to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
⁸Yet, O LORD, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
⁹Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD,
and do not remember iniquity forever.
Now consider, we are all your people.

SECOND READING l CORINTHIANS l:3-9

As the Christians in Corinth await the advent of Jesus, Paul reminds them how the Lord has already enriched them through spiritual gifts and will continue to strengthen them until the coming day of the Lord.

³Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
⁴I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind — ⁶just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you — ⁷so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

GOSPEL MARK 13:24-37

In today's reading, Jesus encourages his followers to look forward to the day when he returns in power and glory to end all suffering.

²⁴But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
²⁵and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
²⁶Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. ²⁷Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
²⁸From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. ³⁰Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. ³¹Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
³²But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. ³⁵Therefore, keep awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, ³⁶or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. ³⁷And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 11-26-14 Wednesday.pdf

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Thanksgiving - a time to give thanks

2014-11-25T13:02:00.001-08:00

Join us tomorrow, November 26 for:

Worship - 7 p.m.
The Pie Fest (immediately following worship). Each family is invited to bring a pie to share. It doesn't need to be pumpkin - pecan, apple, mincemeat etc. are all wonderful choices, too. Coffee and cider will be provided.

During this time of giving thanks, we want to share some updates and opportunities for "Outreach and Service".

Community Harvest: The Christmas tree in Luther Hall is surrounded by a sea of orange bags all filled with items for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. Bags can still be left on Thanksgiving Eve.
Thanksgiving Dinner boxes: We have received $2,792 for the Thanksgiving dinner boxes providing Thanksgiving dinners for 175 families.
Sheltered Village: All the gift tags for the 88 residents were taken from the “Giving Tree”. If you shopped for a resident and haven’t already returned your gift, please do so by Sunday, November 30. Join us for wrapping Monday, December 1, 9:30 a.m., Luther Hall and/or to help with the party on Wednesday, December 3 at 1 p.m.
Family Christmas Project: Shopping is underway for 16 families. There is still time to make a donation (Make checks payable to Bethany Lutheran Church, memo: Family Christmas Project). Wrapping is scheduled for Monday, December 15, 9:00 a.m. in Luther Hall.
Blest be the Tie that Binds: Share warmth around the world. Join us to tie quilts for Lutheran World Relief beginning this Sunday, November 30, 10-10:30. (This event is sponserd by Thrivent and their funds provide the materials for the Lutheran World Relief quilts.)
Alternative Gift Giving: Check out alternative gift options this Sunday in Luther Hall.

"I will Praise God's name in song and glorify him with Thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30.

Thanks for giving!

This email sent by:

Sandra Teiken

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Fanning the Flame of Renewal

2014-11-19T15:44:00.001-08:00

This event reminder is from Bethany Lutheran Church

Fanning the Flame of Renewal(View Online)
What:	Meeting
When:	Wed, Dec 3, 2014, 5:45p - 7:00p
Where:	Luther Hall
RSVP:	Click here to indicate if you will attend or not

To import this one event into your calendar program, use this link: https://f1.ctsmemberconnect.net/garoupdb/icsfiles/occur-9668411.ics.

[ MemberId=815575 OrgId=1184 GroupId=37121 EventId=698338 OccurId=9668411 ]

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Weekly Newsletter

2014-11-19T04:00:00.001-08:00

Wednesday Words for November 19, 2014

From Interim Senior Pastor Len Hoffmann

Please click below to view Bethany Weekly Newsletter

Worship 8:00, 9:00, and 10:30 am

Children’s Church, Sunday School and Adult Education at 9:00 am.

New Coffee and Get Acquainted Hour 10:00 am.

Worship (Third Sunday of the Month) 5:00 pm.

Large Print Bulletins and Celebrates are available from the Ushers

Sunday, November 23 – Our Special Guest will be Pastor Dan Rift,

ELCA Director for World Hunger and Disaster Response

Thanksgiving Worship followed by Pie Fest 2014

Thursday, November 26 at 7:00 pm

Midweek Advent Worship Begins Wednesday, December 3 at 7:00 pm

Holden Evening Prayer

Our next Fanning the Flame event will be December 3. Soup Supper 5:45 - 6:15 pm

Purpose and Planning Session 6:30 – 7:00 pm – Sharing Our Gifts-Unlocking our Potential

Congregational Update on Purpose and Planning Process at 7:30 pm following Advent Worship

Mission Support Sunday

December 7, 2014

Dedication of Estimate of Giving Cards for 2015

Help us achieve our Annual Fund Giving Goal of $145,000 by December 31.

Go to our website and click on the green “Give Online” button.

All Gifts must be given or postmarked by December 31 to be credited to your 2014 giving.

Thought for the Day:

Empowered by God — Responding by Grace

“Now as you excel in everything — in faith,

in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness,

and in our love for you — so we want you to

excel also in this generous undertaking” (2 Cor. 8:7).

Sunday at Bethany:

Sometimes, when stewardship is mentioned, people wrongly conclude that giving money is all that is involved. Not so. Giving does include our financial resources, but it goes far beyond money and actually encompasses three primary resources. These are what might be called “building blocks” in God’s “school of faith” which constitutes “lifestyle stewardship” or “total discipleship.”

This week we will focus on the second “building block” in our lifestyle of stewardship. This is the matter of our abilities, our talents. This is an area in which all of us have not been gifted equally. Some have been gifted by God to work with their hands, with machines, or with computers. Others excel in their ability to communicate orally or via the printed page. The effective outreach of the Gospel here at Bethany Lutheran Church is made possible only when God’s people who are part of this fellowship use their combined talents for God’s glory and for the good of this ministry.

During this time of our stewardship emphasis, you are invited to look at your abilities and talents and see how you might give them back to God for the sake of God’s mission in the world. Your gifts might be able to be shared in the area of worship, learning, witness, support or outreach. All of these areas are important to our mission of reflecting Christ in our message and actions.

Pr. Len

Sunday, November 23, 2014
Christ the King Sunday

Prayer of the Day: O God of power and might, your Son shows us the way of service, and in him we inherit the riches of your grace. Give us the wisdom to know what is right and the strength to serve the world you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Since Israel's kings proved to be bad shepherds, Ezekiel declares that the Lord will assume the role of shepherd in Israel. The Lord will also set over them a shepherd-messiah, "my servant David," who will feed and care for the people.

¹¹For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. ¹²As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. ¹³I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. ¹⁴I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. ¹⁵I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. ¹⁶I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.
²⁰Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. ²¹Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, ²²I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.
²³I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. ²⁴And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.

Psalm 95:1-7a

We are the people of God's pasture and the sheep of God's hand. (Ps. 95:7)

¹Come, let us sing ^| to the LORD;

let us shout for joy to the rock of ^| our salvation.

²Let us come before God's presence ^| with thanksgiving

and raise a loud shout to the ^| LORD with psalms.

³For you, LORD, ^| are a great God,

and a great ruler a- ^| bove all gods.

⁴In your hand are the caverns ^| of the earth;

the heights of the hills are ^| also yours. R

⁵The sea is yours, ^| for you made it,

and your hands have molded ^| the dry land.

⁶Come, let us worship ^| and bow down,

let us kneel before the ^| LORD our maker.

⁷For the LORD ^| is our God,

and we are the people of God's pasture

and the sheep ^| of God's hand. R

Second Reading Ephesians 1:15-23

In this passage, God is praised for revealing ultimate divine power in raising Jesus from the dead. The resurrected, exalted Christ is Lord both of the church and the entire universe, now and in the age to come.

¹⁵I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason ¹⁶I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, ¹⁸so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, ¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. ²⁰God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. ²²And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Gospel Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus compares himself to a king who moves among his subjects to see how he is treated: what is done for the least of those who belong to his family is truly done for him.

³¹When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, ³³and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. ³⁴Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; ³⁵for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' ³⁷Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? ³⁸And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? ³⁹And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' ⁴⁰And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' ⁴¹Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; ⁴²for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' ⁴⁴Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' ⁴⁵Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' ⁴⁶And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 11-19-14 Wednesday.pdf

This email sent by:

Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Sunday Evening Worship 5pm Tonight

2014-11-16T11:02:00.001-08:00

Hi Bethany Family,

Don't forget, if you missed worship this morning you can join us tonight at 5pm.

We'll be using the ever popular Holden Evening Prayer service.

Blessings,

Pr. Paul Cannon

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Paul Cannon

Bethany Lutheran Church, ELCA, News & Events

New Bethany Website and Technology Changes

New Website

And Other Technology Changes

Same Address, New Look

Calendar

Member Invitation

As with any technology changes, we expect there to be some bumps in the road. Please let us know if you stop receiving emails, if emails are sent to the wrong address, or if you are receiving unwanted emails after the new year.

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Call Committee Elected

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Proposed By-Law Ammendment

2015 Adult Education

Bethany Lutheran Church

2015 Adult Ed Opportunities

Grow in faith. Expand your mind. Explore God's world.

Animate Faith

Parenting Teens

Theology on Tap

Financial Peace University

Marriage Workshop

Lutheranism 101

Living the Questions

Men's Group

News and Faith

Sips 'n Scriptures

To sign up for any of these classes, please email Pr. Paul Cannon (paul.cannon@bethanylc.com)

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Fiancial Stewardship Update Errata

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Financial Stewardship Campaign Update

Bethany Weekly Correction

Bethany Lutheran Church

Whoops!

We sent you the wrong link to the Bethany Weekly.

Wednesday Words

Bethany Wednesday Words

Wednesday Words

December 17th, 2014 Pastor Len Hoffmann

Advent Service

Longest Night Worship - Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 pm

Sunday Night Service

Sunday, December 21 3rd Sunday of the Month Worship 5:00 pm

Christmas Eve Worship

5:00 pm. Family Candlelight Worship

7:00 pm - Festival Worship with Strings 10:30 pm - Festival Candlelight Worship with Brass

Lessons & Carols

Sunday, December 28 Lessons and Carols 9:00 and 10:30 am.

Click Here for the Sunday Readings: Luke 1:26-38 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Romans 16:25-27

All 2014 Offerings need to be received by December 31 to count toward 2014 giving.

[Bethany Lutheran Church] 2015 Evelopes

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Congregational Gathering Fanning the Flame Report

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Thank You!

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Help us plan for Christmas - Christmas Eve Worship helpers NEEDED!

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Weekly Newsletter

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Year End Giving and Tax Planning

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Congregational Gathering Fanning the Flame Report

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Weekly Newsletter

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Giving Tuesday

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Help us plan for Christmas - Christmas Eve Worship helpers NEEDED!

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Giving Tuesday

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Fanning the Flame of Renewal

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Weekly Newsletter

Sunday at Bethany:

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Thanksgiving - a time to give thanks

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Fanning the Flame of Renewal

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Weekly Newsletter

Sunday at Bethany:

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Sunday Evening Worship 5pm Tonight

December 17th, 2014
Pastor Len Hoffmann

Sunday, December 21 3^rd Sunday of the Month Worship 5:00 pm

7:00 pm - Festival Worship with Strings
10:30 pm - Festival Candlelight Worship with Brass

Click Here for the Sunday Readings:
Luke 1:26-38
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Romans 16:25-27