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What’s Coming Up

LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Ash Wednesday, February 22

Service times 1:30 & 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday Vespers

February 29 - March 28 

Service time 7:15 p.m.

We will gather for worship, hear dramatic readings and pray

and sing together using the Holden Evening Prayer.

HOLY WEEK

Palm/Passion Weekend

Saturday, March 31, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 1, 8:00, 9:15 & 10:30 a.m.

Maundy Thursday services of Holy Communion

Thursday, April 5- 1:30 & 7:15 p.m.

Good Friday Service

Friday, April 6 - 7:15 p.m.

Easter Sunday Worship

Sunday, April 8 (no Sunday School or Saturday worship)

6:15 sunrise service,

8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Easter Breakfast served 7:00—11:00 a.m.

Free Will Offering, proceeds will benefit summer youth events.

This Weekend

• Believe the Good News: Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family, and through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By the baptism of Jesus' death and resurrection you set us free from the power of sin and death and raise us up to live in you.—Service of Holy Baptism, Thanksgiving at the Font, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 230. Jesus emerged from his baptism in the Jordan River to receive the Holy Spirit and hear the Father identify him as "my Son, the Beloved" (Mark 1:11). It's the first day of the rest of his life, a life that will bring Jesus to the cross, to the tomb, and to new life. Claimed and named as God's own and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is sustained in the wilderness. Baptism immerses us, too, into our identity as beloved children of God. Claimed and named as God's own and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are sustained in our wilderness wanderings. The beginning of these forty days can be a tempting time, especially if we confuse our Lenten commitments to give up or take on something with New Year's resolutions. Instead of practicing willingness, we can be tempted to prove our willpower. We can be tempted to resent instead of embrace the opportunity for deeper discipleship. Breathe deep and listen to Jesus: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news." Remember, as baptized and beloved children of God we are united in Christ's death and resurrection. What good news! Each day is the first day of the rest of our lives.

 

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2010 Augsburg Fortress.

Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.

• Faith Stepping Stones – for 1st grade students and their parents: The beginner Bible workshop has been moved to Saturday, February 25 from 9:00 to 10:30a.m. Watch for a special letter sent to you home but mark your calendar now is this workshop involves the crafting of a custom bookmark to be used with the wonderful, “SPARK” children’s story Bible.

Coming Soon

• Join Pastor Rich for a Lenten Book Study beginning Wednesday, February 29. We will gather at 6:00 p.m. in the Overflow (please feel free to pick up dinner from Fellowship Hall). The focus of our study is Essential Commandment by Greg Ogden (available from Amazon, including a Kindle version). Each chapter of this book will connect to our reflection during evening vespers. When an expert in the law asked Jesus what the greatest commandment is, Jesus gave a clear and simple answer: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." But what does the Great Commandment look like on the ground, in our day-to-day lives? Can we even come close to living it out?

• Sign up to receive daily Lenten devotions: Jan Richardson is a pastor, artist and writer of a website called The Painted Prayerbook. Throughout Lent she will be sending out daily Lenten devotions, entitled "Teach Me Your Path." According to her invitation: "During this Lenten season, I’ll be sharing the images that have emerged in recent weeks. I’ll post an image daily throughout Lent. Brief reflections will accompany the images for the forty days of Lent. I offer these not just to give you a glimpse of what’s been taking shape in my studio but as an invitation to you to engage your own path and to look for the openings that are waiting for you in the coming weeks. I’ll be posting each reflection about a week in advance of the day it’s intended for." If you’d like to receive these reflections during Lent (and beyond), click here. There’s a subscription signup form near the top of the sidebar; just submit your email address, then respond to the confirmation email that you’ll automatically receive, and each new reflection will be delivered to your inbox.

• Calling All interested in Knitting/Crocheting: This lively team will be meeting TWICE per month, 2nd and 4th Thursday. 1:00 in the Fireside Lounge. Join us on February 23rd. Come to knit or crochet, share, learn about creating prayer shawls, baby blankets, scarves, hats to bless and comfort others. Come to laugh, too! Beginners welcome!

• Got Support?

• Check out CareNotes in the Narthex, corridor racks and the library. Simples booklets with wise words of encouragement and understanding. Titles include: Finding Hope When Times are Tough; Feeling Overwhelmed by Money Problems; Dealing with Difficult Emotions.

 

• Our Thought of the Day to helps focus our minds positively, using scripture, inspiration, or even humorous messages. A great way to focus our thoughts and minds positively. Contact the church office to start receiving an email, Monday thru Friday.

 

• Experience the comfort and encouragement of others….Prayer and Presence Support Group, February 20th. 7:00 Fireside Lounge.

• ELCA Youth Gathering News:

• Wednesday, February 22: Final Commitment Day. All youth and adult mentors going on the trip must submit their intent at this point and are now locked in to paying the full price of the trip or are responsible to find an approved substitute. The form was enclosed with a letter that was sent out earlier this month.
• Sunday, March 11: Youth-Only Meeting. We will be meeting with our friends from Geneva Lutheran from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. at Geneva Lutheran Church. We will share stories about our previous trips to New Orleans and meet some new friends. This is a great way to get to know some new friends that we will be sharing a bus with for our 16 hour journey to New Orleans.

• Preschool Registration Open: We are currently in the process of registration for the 2012/2013 school year.  The Preschool still has openings in both the morning and afternoon sessions.  Bethlehem offers a wide variety of classes for Preschoolers ages 3-5 years old in a very loving and nurturing environment.  Please pass the word along to friends and neighbors about the wonderful program that Bethlehem Preschool has to offer.  You may contact Pong for more information or if you would like to schedule a tour.

• Bethany Lutheran Church invites you to the third in its series of concerts on their newly expanded organ. Lorraine Brugh, Valparaiso University Organist, will present a recital on Sunday March 4 at 3:00 p.m. A free will offering will be received. Bethany is located at 8 S. Lincoln Street in Batavia. Dr. Brugh also helped lead the development of the ELCA’s Evangelical Lutheran Worship (red hymnal) and is co-author of The Sunday Assembly, published in 2008 to help church leaders incorporate the hymnal’s materials into worship services. She has been involved in the development of Lutheran music and worship practices for many years and in July 2010 became president of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. She serves as executive director of the University’s Institute of Liturgical Studies, which annually brings church leaders across the country together to study and reflect upon worship practices.

• Breadbreaker Sign Ups for March, April, May Session: Breadbreakers are small groups of adults who get together to share a meal and fellowship at each others’ homes. If you enjoy eating with friends and look forward to meeting new people, Breadbreakers is for you! Contact Sarah Belinski or see the registration slip to sign up.

• Faith Stepping Stones – for 5th grade students and their parents: Friday, March 9 - 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. God’s Family and our Family Values Workshop (note date change).  We will explore what a family tree is all about, practice building trust in some very unique ways and reminisce about how the world has changed and how to keep connected as a family in the midst of the changes. Parents, as your child is preparing to move into middle school this workshop is an opportunity to reconnect with the foundations of the relationship between you, your child and God. Cost for the workshop is $10 per child. Scholarships are available if finances are a difficulty for you. Each person should bring an unmarked Baby picture, a piece of technology from your childhood and wear shoes you can run in! We will have a mid-workshop snack and include some Bible exploration in regards to people of faith in prayer.

• Preschool Spaghetti Dinner and Auction: Our annual “On Top of Spaghetti” Dinner and Raffle/Silent Auction is soon approaching on Friday March 16th.  Save the date for this fun family evening full of food, games and prizes.  We are beginning to collect auction and raffle items.  To make our fundraiser a success we are in need of both items for adults and children.  If you have anything that you would like to donate or know of a business that would be willing to donate goods or services, please contact the Preschool at (630) 584-6027.  We are also in need of volunteers for the evening and donations of desserts for the dinner and cake walk.  Look for upcoming sign-up sheets in the church bulletin and by the Preschool entrance. 

• Bethlehem continues to Support The Tri-City Unemployment Group The Tri-City Unemployment Group (TUG) was organized in October 2001 to address the needs of the unemployed in our community. TUG was organized by several concerned community leaders and several St. Charles churches as an ecumenical and grass roots effort to help. The mission of the Tri-City Unemployment Group is to provide an opportunity to network, offer presentations on the job search process, to develop skills, and provide resource materials. The Tri City Unemployment Group (TUG) meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at Bethlehem, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The first part of each gathering is a general presentation on a topic related to unemployment, such as dealing with personal and family stress, resume-writing, interviewing skills, financial management, career skills assessment, networking, and automating the search process. The second part of the program provides an opportunity for direct networking and interpersonal support. Job notices are posted for sharing; individual assistance and guidance is provided, one-on-one, by steering team members and other vocational experts.  Over 400 residents have sought out TUG services at least once, depending on their specific needs and current place in the job-search process. Services provided are free to all those who attend. Please consider yourself welcome and join us. For further information Click Here.

Opportunities To Serve and Give

• Donations Needed for Preschool Spaghetti Dinner & Auction/Raffle: The Preschool Ministry Team is looking for donations of goods and services for our annual event on Friday March 16. We are especially in need of children’s items and gift certificates. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year to raise money for our scholarship fund which helps pay tuition for families in need. If you have something you would like to donate or know of a business that may be willing to help out, please contact the Preschool. There will be more information and other ways to volunteer with this fun event coming soon!

• Donate to the Church Kitchen “Shower”: Daily preschool lunches, weekly WNL! dinners, funeral luncheons. Boy Scout Award Banquets, Senior luncheons, Men’s breakfasts, Women’s Advent buffets, Easter breakfasts, and congregation dinners are just some of the events that are served up out of our church kitchen on a regular basis. Besides Mary Fitzmaurice, our Preschool Kitchen Manager, we have many volunteers who make these events possible. Their stamina and bright smiles never seem to lag, but some of our kitchen supplies and equipment are wearing out and need replacement. A new refrigerator and stainless tableware have already been purchased from Memorial Gifts and a new “wish” list has been created to replenish lost or worn out equipment. To meet this goal, the Naomi Circle is sponsoring a “Shower” in the form of a Church Kitchen Fund. If you would like to participate, please pick up a designated Kitchen Shower Fund envelope in the worship area, fill in the information and put your donation in the weekend offering plate or in the church office on weekdays through March 11. Checks should be written Bethlehem Lutheran Church with the notation Kitchen Fund.  Your assistance will be very much appreciated, and we will be ready to serve you at the next meal!

• Pottawatomie Habitat Partnership: Work is continuing on our current Habitat for Humanity renovation project on North James Drive in St. Charles. There are tasks for everyone. Volunteers between the ages of 16-18 are welcome, but need to be accompanied by an adult, according to HFH regulations. In addition to volunteers who can work with tools or move materials, lunches are needed for these volunteers. If you can help, please sign up on the registration slip.

• Help with Home Communion: We would love to add three more disciples to serve in this ministry. If interested in learning more about bringing monthly communion to those who cannot attend worship, contact Pastor Mark or Kelly Collins.

• Lenten Giving Designated to Shelter Assistance Fund: Shelter Assistance is an ongoing Fox River Valley charity benefiting individuals and families whose current circumstances have made it impossible for them to cover their housing expenses. Last year Shelter Assistance helped 43 families, including 144 children within those households. Although 43 households received help, over 80 families applied for assistance. This fund is set up to aid only people who have the ability to get back on a regular financial schedule and pay their bills. This season your Lenten giving will specifically augment the Shelter Assistance Fund, and Bethlehem will continue to partner with other organizations to meet the larger needs in housing assistance.

• Volunteers and a car needed at Holy Family School: Tutors Needed! Some of our students in grades 3 - 8 are in need of immediate help. Could you give some time over the next 6 weeks to help a student succeed? One- and two-hour volunteer shifts are available Monday through Friday at Holy Family School. Tutors are needed to work one-on-one with students in reading and math between 10 and 3 and in the after-school hours of 3:30 to 5:30. If you can help a student, please contact Cheryl Collins, Principal, at (773) 265-0550. We also need a vehicle! If you are thinking of donating your vehicle, please consider making it a tax-deductible gift to Holy Family. Contact Susan Work, President, (773) 273-6013 ext. 2 about this possibility.

• Help Plan Annual Progressive Dinner: Thank you to all those who opened their homes for the Annual Progressive Dinner.  This night of fellowship is always a highlight of the season thanks to the generosity of those who volunteer to host.  This festive night is always a great success. We are currently looking for volunteers to join the planning team so we are ready for 2012.  If you are interested in helping or coordinating, please contact Debbie Eckhart..

 

• Help with our Homeless Ministries: Each month Bethlehem helps staff the Homeless Shelter at Lazarus House in St. Charles, and every other month, Hesed House in Aurora. The sun is shining, the temperatures are warmer, the flowers are in bloom and the homeless shelters are still full. During the summer many of the "regular" helpers have other commitments. We need shoppers, people to deliver supplies, work all three shifts, and make breakfast sandwiches and brownies. We look forward to seeing some new faces this month. Our next service date for Lazarus House is March 10 and Hesed House is February 24. Click Here to email the office and let us know where, when and how you’d like to serve, or simply if you would like to be contacted to get more information.  Please see the weekly registration slip for all opportunities.

ELCA Link of the Week

 

Lutherans break ground for a new resettlement village in Haiti

The commitment between members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the people of Haiti was celebrated Feb. 2 at a groundbreaking ceremony in the nation's Gressier municipality, where a new resettlement village is planned for 2012. Read More.