We encounter SIGNS everywhere in everyday life. They can help guide our decisions, keep us safe, and sometimes offer deeper meaning or insight into our experiences. Some signs are used to indicate identity: the identity of a product or a group to which one associates. Look ahead for a sermon series on signs, and for… Read More »
From the Pen of Pastor Barb – July 2025
“As he (Saul) traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.” Acts 9:3 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, How often have you found yourself at a “CROSSROAD” in your life? You thought you were headed in one direction only to find out that you ended up going in a different direction. You… Read More »
Leadership Update – May 2025
What a meaningful Lenten season, followed by a wonderful celebration of our Lord’s resurrection at Bethel! And it doesn’t end there. We are still in the Easter season. Our collections for the Aurora Interfaith food pantry has been quite a success. Thank you!! The installation of the new narthex door should be completed by the… Read More »
From the Pen of Pastor Barb – May 2025
“Open our eyes, Lord we want to see Jesus. To reach out and touch him and say that we love him.” Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Unfortunately the account of Jesus’ appearance on the “Road to Emmaus” (Luke 24:13–35) isn’t blessing us in worship this year. However, we were able to connect with the… Read More »
Leadership Update – March 2025
First, I want to thank Marvin Kelley who stepped up to admirably serve as SLT president for most of 2024. He will be missed on council. I am looking forward to working with SLT and all of you as we move ahead at Bethel. Most of you know that Bethel is a very welcoming place… Read More »
From the Pen of Pastor Barb – March 2025
“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You, know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:1-2 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We are now in the season of Lent, which is a time of “spiritual discipline.” During Lent it is customary in… Read More »
Leadership Update – February 2025
Your new SLT President, Ron Freund, will be writing to you for the next year on how the church is moving forward. I will still be in charge of the maintenance team, trying to complete the contracts already written (revision of the electrical boxes, the parsonage sewer project, and the fixing of the broken west… Read More »
From the Pen of Pastor Barb – February 2025
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Can you believe we have past January of 2025 already? Mike and I were talking about how quickly time flies. When we were in high school in the 70s, we couldn’t even begin to think… Read More »
From the Pen of Pastor Barb – January 2025
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We embark on a new year (can you believe it is almost… Read More »
From the Pen of Pastor Barb – December 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, November is almost over and we are fast approaching the season of Advent. The time of expectation… the time of anticipation… the time of preparation. I used to say our world so quickly passes by Thanksgiving to race toward Christmas, however, now I need to say how quickly our… Read More »
