January 2009

"Of the Father's love begotten ere the worlds began to be,

he is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he,

of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,

evermore and evermore.

Amen.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

            God's love for us has been from the before the beginning of time and will continue beyond the time of the heavens and earth as we know them.  This God, in and through Jesus, wants us!  Loves us!  Desires us to respond back in love!  This is the God we proclaim at Christmas!  And this is the God we proclaim at Easter!  And this is the God we should be proclaiming every single day!

            We as Christians have not always been able to share openly about what Jesus means to us.  There have been times over the centuries that Christians would find secret ways to let other Christians know that they were believers OR they found ways to teach their doctrines through hidden words and song.  For example the fish which we see on cars.  The name for fish in Greek was ICHTHUS, spelled ICQUS  in Greek.  This stood for Jesus Christ God's Son Savior. 

            The same happened at Christmas.  Some believe when the Catholics in England wanted to teach their doctrines they used the song The 12 Days of Christmas.  Some of you have received, through email, the doctrinal meaning behind the song but I thought I would share it here as well:

            1.  A Partridge in a Pear Tree?Christ is the partridge who would feign injury to be a decoy and save her children.  The tree is the Cross.     

            2.  Two Turtle Doves?The Old and New Testaments.

            3.  Three French Hens?Faith, Hope & Love.

            4.  Four Calling Birds?The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

            5.  Five Golden Rings?The first five books of the Old Testament (Torah, Law), Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy.

            6.  Six Geese a Laying?The six days of creation.

            7.  Seven Swans a Swimming?The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.

            8.  Eight Maids a Milking?The eight beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount.

            9.  Nine Ladies Dancing?The nine fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self control.

            10. Ten Lords a Leaping?The Ten Commandments.

            11. Eleven Pipers Piping?The Eleven faithful Apostles.

            12. Twelve Drummers Drumming?The Twelve  points of beliefs in the Apostles' Creed: belief in God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit, Jesus born of the virgin Mary, made man, crucified, died, and rose, sits at the right hand of God, will come again, the resurrection of living and dead.

            Soooooooo, are you wondering why I am writing about finding ways to share our faith in hidden ways?  The Christian church has, more than not, had to conform to society and utilize that which is familiar in the secular world to teach our doctrines. The time may be upon us to again resort to finding more ways to talk about our faith in a society that is less than receptive to our message.  It is time for us as Christians to again find more and more ways to reach our children and the world with the love of Christ. 

            Let's continue to find ways to teach, learn and share this love of Christ in a world that is becoming less willing to be open to the message we have to share.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Barb

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December 2008

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 

"Wake, awake, for night is flying, The watchmen on the heights are crying;
Awake, Jerusalem, at last.  Midnight hears the welcome voices, And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
?Come forth, you maidens!  Night is past.  The bridegroom comes!
Awake; Your lamps with gladness take!'
Alleluia!  Prepare yourselves to meet the Lord, Whose light has stirred the waiting guard.

            Wake up, for Christ is coming!  We do not know the day nor the hour, we merely know we must be ready.  This is the word for Advent, the season of the church year filled with expectation and longing. 

            In our day and age the expectation and longing are for Christmas and gifts to be received early in the morning.  The Christmas Carols are already being played in the stores . . .the decorations are already tempting us . . .the smells of the season are taunting us to bake, buy and go beyond our means. 

            Advent isn't about the expectation and longing for Christmas, but the expectation and longing for the return of Jesus.  This is the true "season" of preparation, getting our thoughts and minds about readiness.  Are we "READY" for the Lord to come?  Not our house for Christmas!  Not whether or not we have enough presents purchased!  But are we "READY" for Jesus?

            This is a question of belonging and stewardship. 

  If I belong to Jesus then I need to be asking how I live for Jesus.                                                                                              If I belong to Jesus then I need to be prepared for Jesus. 

  If I belong to Jesus, then I need to think about him more than once or twice a day. 

  If I belong to Jesus I need to evaluate how I support him, his church and his ministry SO THAT others can be prepared for his coming.

            Become more prepared for Jesus' coming, today, tomorrow, next year . . .wake up for the time is soon and the call is for us to be prepared and ready!

            During Advent connect in as many ways as you can to prepare yourself spiritually.

November 30-Women's Advent Salad Supper-5:00 P.M
December 3, 10 & 17-Wednesday Advent Soup Suppers at 6:00 P.M.
                                        Worship at 7:00 P.M.
December 14-Sunday Morning-Choir Cantata-8:30 & 11:00 A.M.
December 14--Children's Christmas Program
          "God Made A Way In A Manger" - 5:00 P.M.
December 24-Christmas Eve-5:00 P.M. Children's Service
          7:00 & 11:00 P.M. Candlelight & Communion Service
 
Join in the preparations for Christ . . . Externally and most of all INTERNALLY!
In Christ,
Pastor Barb
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November 2008
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,    
     We are blessed beyond all belief at Bethel and I am so thankful to be a part of this ministry.  We have so many opportunities to receive from Christ, fellowship with each other and reach others in the community with the love and grace of Jesus.  I want to take this opportunity to highlight just a few of the exciting ministries we are blessed with at Bethel.
                             Bethel Christian School
     Do you have any idea of the importance of the gift we offer to our own children and the children of this community through our Preschool through Kindergarten? I don't think you do.  The children who come through BCS learn about the deep love of Jesus through the staff and curriculum.  The words of Jesus, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them." are lived out day after day at BCS.  We have the ability to teach our community of Jesus' love in a special way through our school.  For some of the children who grace the doors  our school it will be the only time in their early life they will learn stories of the Bible, learn the Lord's Prayer and experience the wonderful grace of Jesus through their experience.
     I encourage you to take time to ask the director of BCS, Kathy Harrison, about this marveoous ministry.  Pray for Kathy and her staff dailoy as they are representatives of Christ and YOU to the children and their families.
     Their are 87 children currently enrolled at BCS and benefiting from YOUR  ministry!  Ask about the children!  Support this  INCREDIBLE  outreach!  Look for every opportunity to learn more!
                                              2009 Women's Retreat
     Our women will be going to St. Malo Retreat Center again January 9 -11.  Our study will be on Romans 8 and as always you will be WOWed by God!  Mark it on your calendart and ge your registration in as soon as possible!  We want to match our last few years of over 60 women!!!!
                                            BLT Dive Team
     Our youth are meeting on Sunday nights for 6 - 8 and are they ever having a great time.  They are planning fun events as well as a trip to the National Youth Gathering next summer in New Orleans!
                                                  Men's Ministry
     The guys are at it again on the first saturday of the month.  Join in the breakfast and Bible Study beginning at 8:00 a.m.  They are having a life changing time!
                                         Prayer Shawl Ministry
     This marvelous ministry has touched over 60 people with prayer and hope!  Thank you women!!!!  If interested call the office and we will connect you to Sue Davison.
     In addition we have two opportunities every Sunday to worship Jesus. traditionally  and in a contemporary way.  There are more things going than you can imagine and we are excited  to share them with you! Read on in the newsletter and you will be wondering how you can involve yourself.
 
In Christ,
Pastor Barb                         
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October 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 God's grace is absolutely wonderful!  Our theme is WAVES of MERCY?WAVES of GRACE and we are asking people to Dive into the waters of Grace with us.  We have been moving ahead.  As you know we voted as a congregation in June to start the fall with a new schedule and on September 7th we did just that.
 We have worshiped for three Sunday's with the new schedule and all is going well.  It will take some time for us to catch on to some new things, however, you ALL have been stellar!  Our attendance is up, we have some repeats between the services (this is great) and our Sunday School attendance is up as well.  Worship has touched me as I enjoy both of the services.  The choir has been exceptional and the Praise Band (Grace Flows Down) certainly has brought excitement to the contemporary service.
 God is truly awesome and wonderful.  Our only need is to respond to God's wonderful, marvelous grace and I believe we are.  There is always new ventures for us as a congregation and I see your willingness to follow Christ where He is leading.
 Please remind your friends, neighbors and family members to join us in worship if they are not currently worshipping in a Christian community . . . Things to share . . . .
 We have two worship times with Sunday School in between . . .
8:30 a.m.? Traditional
9:45 a.m.?Sunday School (children & adults)
11:00 a.m. -Contemporary Worship
We have mid-week Bible Study opportunities . . .
We have a great YOUTH program that is picking up and AWESOME . . .
Youth meets on Saturday evenings from 6?8
(except on the first Sunday in October it is moved to Sunday, October 5)
Take a WELCOME folder to give to a friend or family member.
Come and Dive into the waters of GRACE with us!
 In Christ,
 Pastor Barb
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 September
"Do not forget to entertain strangers,
for by so doing some people have         entertained angels
without knowing it."
Hebrews 13:2
Dear Brothers and Sisters in  Christ,
              We never know who is walking through the doors of our church or the doors of our lives, but what we do know is that we are to welcome them.  Creating a welcoming atmosphere is extremely important in sharing the gospel (good news) of Jesus.  When someone enters into our home (Bethel) they should feel the welcoming Spirit of God and that comes through us.  How we greet them says much about the One we worship.  If we believe that our God is an inviting, welcoming God, then we are to reflect that to others.
As you know, beginning Sunday, September 7th, we are moving to a new schedule at Bethel.  For years we have worshipped at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School following fellowship time at 11:00 a.m.  The new schedule was voted on and passed with over 85% of those in attendance at our June congregational meeting.  The vote  followed a great deal of sharing with the thrust of the discussion having to do with outreach, younger families and a step of faith.  This was a vote of "inclusion", not "exclusion".  Bethel (that is US) is making an attempt to draw new people to Jesus through worship and a welcoming atmosphere.
Besides the change in our worship schedule there are changes for each of our choirs, and Sunday School.  It is extremely important that ALL of us, including ME, recognize that what we are doing is for the glory of Jesus.  True ministry pushes us past ourselves to welcome and serve others.  We are never sure who will walk through the doors of this church and what they will need to touch their lives with the Holy Spirit, but we are stepping out to provide more opportunity for people to "hear" the good news.
The decision to move forward was a "congregational" decision, therefore we are calling on all of you to help in the success of this renewed ministry.  The following suggestions are ways to help draw others to God's redeeming love at Bethel in the upcoming months.  You may only participate in one or two ways, but if we can recognize that all is for the GLORY OF GOD it may make our commitments easier. 
 
? Pray, pray, pray, for the success of Bethel's worship life, Sunday School and all around ministry!
? Greet people whom you do not know!  We know we are Lutherans and we are typically shy, but  this is your new brother or sister in Christ and they need to know they are WANTED.
? Introduce someone new to a friend or me (the Pastor)!
? Be joyous at church and away from church!
? Find a Bible study group to belong to!
? Help with both services and periodically go to both services on the same Sunday!
? Be a GREETER, READER, COMMUNION ASSISTANT, HYMNIST or USHER!
? Commit to the choir!!!!!!  Or commit your children to the children's choir or youth bells!
? Get your children to Sunday School and teach them, by your example, to invite others!
? Ask, "What does Jesus want me to do?"  And follow through!
? Pray, pray, pray, for the success of Bethel's overall MINISTRY and outreach!
In Christ,
Pastor Barb
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August
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Waves of Mercy . . . Waves of Grace!
As we enter into yet another chapter in the life of Bethel Lutheran Church we are marked with, OR marking others with MERCY and GRACE.  However, to do this we need to know what it is we are talking about.
MERCY is defined as:  1)  Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power; clemency.  2)  A disposition to be kind and forgiving.  3)  Something for which to be thankful; a blessing.  4)  Alleviation of distress; relief.
 GRACE is defined as:  1)  Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form or proportion.  2)  A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement.  3)  A sense of fitness or propriety.  4)  A disposition to be helpful; goodwill.  5)  A favor rendered by one who need not do so; indulgence.  6)  A temporary immunity or exemption; a reprieve.
 We are in hopes that God's Mercy and Grace will splash out of the bounds and the WAVES will flow to others.  God has been so very compassionate with us.  "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  When we have not been good God still showers his mercy all over us.  He forgives our imperfections and calls to us to follow.  His GRACE, the gift of a new life, is undeserved, yet has still been given to us.
 When we "get" the message of God's deep compassion our desire to treat others in the same way wells up and begins to overflow to others.  The "Lutheran" understanding of why we serve comes from a joyful response to God's mercy and grace.  We respond, not out of fear, but out of thankfulness.  I want to draw others to Jesus, because I know and understand how much he has loved me.  I don't "work" for my salvation, I respond out of joy and thanksgiving because I know, without a shadow of doubt, that God has loved and accepted me.
 This MERCY and GRACE should now flow out of Bethel to touch others and we let the message out in the community in new ways.  Through the worship we will be providing, . . .through a more defined Sunday School . . .through more opportunities for Small Group Bible Study . . .through Mission projects with a number of different organizations and through our attitude of compassion.
Let God splash his Mercy and Grace all over you and in turn you begin or continue to splash that same Mercy and Grace on others.
 God's rich peace, mercy, grace and love.
In Christ,
Pastor Barb
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July 2008
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, ?The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"   Matthew 9:36-38
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As most of you are aware we met on Sunday, June 22nd at 11:00 A.M. for two purposes.  The first was to discuss our marvelous ministry through Bethel Christian School.  Kathy Harrison, the Director of BCS, shared the basics as to what has been happening in the mission of BCS followed by a power point presentation by our Assistant Director, Katie McMillian.  The presentation not only gave us pictures to see the joy of the children who are presently learning and growing at BCS, but we also heard part of the history of our school. Kelly Weaver led the congregation in affirming the new school board members as well as thanking those who have been serving and those who are ending their service (Charlotte Larson, Chuck Lawhorn and Michelle Massengale).  Charlotte Larson, who has served as treasurer for a number of years, helping us to move into a financially sound place, presented the budget, which was accepted. 
The encouragement is for all of us as members of this ministry at Bethel to take to heart the power and effect of this incredible outreach to our community.  In some cases, the children who come through the doors of Bethel have never been in a church and we are here to teach and share the gift of Jesus Christ with them and their families.  Please support this vibrant ministry and mission of your church!
The second order of business was to discuss and make a decision on whether or not to become a more mission minded church and change our present schedule to reflect the needs of our younger families, those in the community that are "unchurched" or never churched and still meet the needs of Bethel.  As of September 7 our schedule will reflect the changes we will be making.  Our traditional service will be offered at 8:30 A.M. with Sunday School at 9:45 and a contemporary service at 11:00 A.M. 
After much discussion and a presentation to show what is happening and what more we can be the vote was taken and passed by approximately 90%.  We are aware that this means we need to have everything together and ready to go to reach our community.  You will begin seeing our theme, "Waves of Mercy . . .Waves of Grace"  and logo (look for the black and white picture inside the newsletter) both inside and outside the church.  We will be running a new Sunday School program from Augsburg called Witness and there will be training for small group leaders in August, as we are preparing to involve ourselves even more in small group ministry. 
I was extremely pleased, as always, with our members and our decision to fish for others who do not know the incredible love of mercy and grace that flows from our Lord Jesus. 
I ask that we all pray for direction and openness to God's Holy Spirit for the ministry that we are to be a part of . . .for those who have yet to hear the good news of Jesus and those who will walk through the doors of this church . . .Bethel (the house of God)!
 In Christ,
 Pastor Barb
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June 2008
"Oh, how I love Jesus.  Oh, how I love Jesus.  Oh, how I love Jesus, because He first loved me."
 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
              I can remember singing this song as a child and it truly sparked in me a spirit of thanksgiving.  Jesus loved me and I loved Jesus back.  What a wonderful thing to respond to the  love of Jesus.  I wasn't frightened.  I wasn't coerced.  I wasn't intimidated or bullied.  I was loved by Jesus and I loved him back.
So often we hear of people who are afraid of God's wrath and judgment.  They have been scared into responding to God through the promise of judgment and fear of hell.  In fact, more and more the "church" is known to be a place of judgment rather than a place of response to God's love.
A member of Bethel recommended that I read a book entitled, "They Like Jesus, but Not the Church".  The book is fascinating.  The author, a pastor, spent time getting to know people who were un-churched and in his relationship with them began asking questions about Jesus and the church and at the same time he truly "listened" to their answers.  He found that Jesus is respected, liked and in most cases, loved by those outside the church. (These are people who either grew up in the church and left OR those who were never raised in the church.)  However, the "church" does not have the same reputation Jesus does.
The "church" is seen as that which is against things and not for things.  One person by the name of Maya said,
"It feels more like they (people in the church) are trying to shame you and control you into their way of thinking and personal opinions about what is right and wrong, rather than it being about becoming more like Jesus and a more loving human being." 
 When asked why she didn't go to church she said,
"You ask why I don't go to church?  Why would I want to become a negative person like most Christians are?  That's why.  The world is negative enough without having the church make me more negative.  I saw what it did to someone very close to me, and I don't want to become like that."
The "church's" reputation has certainly changed over the years.  Some people have been turned off by the television evangelists and the Christians on the far right.  Others have experienced Christians who have been difficult and non-caring.  There are times when we, who believe but do not know Jesus and the Bible well enough, represent Him in negative ways to the world.  The travesty is that the world has developed an opinion, right or wrong of who we are and what we believe. 
I want the people of the world to sing with all their hearts, "Oh, how I love Jesus!"  And understand that it truly is because "He first loved them!"  We here at Bethel are called to help them learn about this Jesus that we are responding to.  We here at Bethel are called to spread the message of the incredible grace of a God who first loved us.
Our congregational meeting will be on June 22nd.  This meeting will be to learn about what is happening at Bethel Christian School, vote on the budget for the school and elect members to the school board.  We will also be discussing and voting on the best ways to reach into the community, which will include worship possibilities, Sunday School and small group ministry.  It is important to have each of you present as we continue to find the best ways to change the perspective of those in the world as to who the church is.  It is through us that those who don't know what Christianity is all about will learn!
 In Christ,
 Pastor Barb
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