Sun, 20 May 2012 10:17:43 -0800WeeblyThu, 17 May 2012 09:20:20 -0800http://bethlehemdekalb.org/1/post/2012/05/bethlehem-bits56.htmlGreetings from 1915 N. First St.

Bethlehem is connected: Sunday, May 20 is Funds For Mission Miracle Sunday! Your generous gifts will be matched by Bethlehem’s Mission Endowment Fund up to $1900. Funds raised support mission congregations in our synod. A tithe of the fund will go to the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Thank you!

You are making a difference: Five young men and women will affirm their faith on Sunday, May 20. Thank you for supporting them through your prayers, your leadership, and your offerings.

Upcoming: Every Sunday, the best hour of the week!
Sunday, May 27: Summer worship schedule begins – 1 service at 9:30 am.
Sunday, June 10: Graduate recognition
June 15-16: Northern Illinois Synod Assembly, Augustana College, Rock Island
    
See you in worship!
Pr. Gary 

]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 09:28:26 -0800http://bethlehemdekalb.org/1/post/2012/05/bethlehem-bits55.htmlGreetings from 1915 N. First St,

Bethlehem is connected:  Our partnership with the Arcot Lutheran Church (ALC) brings with it a wonderful partnership with Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry (LPGM). LPGM created the library project and invited us to join them in providing books for ALC schools. As the library project has grown LPGM has sponsored book fairs where books can be ordered for schools. From the LPGM newsletter we get this information, “Committees of teachers, relatives, village representatives and, most importantly, students spent hours reviewing books before making their decisions. Relatives and village representatives beamed with pride that their children and students were participants in this process.” Amen!

You are making a difference: Tuesday, May 8 was church council night. The council met to oversee the many ministries carried on in and through Bethlehem. Your faithful financial gifts keep Bethlehem vital and our council active as we seek to live out our faith through our actions and activities. Thank you!

Upcoming:
Sundays – the best hour of the week! 8:45 and 11:00 am!
Sunday, May 20, 8:45 am: Confirmation service.
Sunday, May 27 through Sunday, September 2, Summer worship schedule: One service at 9:30 am.

See you in church!
Pastor Gary

]]>Thu, 03 May 2012 13:33:48 -0800http://bethlehemdekalb.org/1/post/2012/05/bethlehem-bits54.htmlGreetings from 1915 N. First St,

Bethlehem is connected: May 20 is Miracle Sunday in the Northern Illinois Synod. One time gifts are being gathered on that day for the sake of building God’s kingdom through new mission starts and congregational redevelopment. Your gift can be doubled! Bethlehem’s Mission Endowment fund is making $1900 available to match the first $1900 received for this important outreach. Got gift?

You are making a difference: Your support of Bethlehem allows us to have a unique and useful building serving the needs of the congregation and community. Join us Sunday, May 6 for the Artist’s Series Concert at 2:00 pm. You are invited to listen to the guitars and organ with a renewed appreciation for our wonderful building’s acoustic liveliness.

Upcoming:
Today! Thursday, May 3: Girl Scout Troop 475 fundraiser spaghetti dinner – 5 to 7 pm. Eat in at Bethlehem or carryout. Thank you for your generous support!
Sunday! The best hour of the week – 8:45 and 11:00 am.
Sunday, May 6: Artist’s Series Concert at 2:00 pm
Sunday, May 20: Miracle Sunday offerings received at both services: Confirmation service at 8:45. Last day of Sunday School.
Sunday, May 27: Summer worship schedule begins! One service at 9:30 am.

See you in worship!

Pr. Gary

]]>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:22:35 -0800http://bethlehemdekalb.org/1/post/2012/04/bethlehem-bits53.htmlGreetings from 1915 N. First St.

Bethlehem is connected: Members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – together we are 4.5 million strong! “The ELCA is a community of faith that shares a passion for making positive changes in the world. Our faith is built around a strong belief in God as made known to us in Jesus Christ. Through worship, service, and education, we practice our faith, grow our relationship with God and experience God's grace in our lives.” Visit www.elca.org.

You are making a difference: Sunday, May 20 is Funds For Mission Miracle Sunday. Celebrate the Affirmation of Baptism for our 5 confirmands with a gift in their honor. All gifts up to $1900 will be matched dollar for dollar by the Mission Endowment Fund.

Upcoming:
Every Sunday – share the gift of worship with us at 8:45 and 11:00 am.
Thursday, May 3: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Girl Scout Troop 475 Spaghetti Dinner fund raiser. Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert, Spaghetti and Drink: $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for children under 12. Dine in at Bethlehem or carry-out.
Sunday, May 20: 8:45 am worship service – Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation)
Sunday, May 27: Summer worship schedule begins – one service at 9:30 am (through September 2)

See you in worship!

Pr. Gary

]]>Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:41:37 -0800http://bethlehemdekalb.org/1/post/2012/04/bethlehem-bits52.htmlGreetings from 1915 N. First St,

Bethlehem is connected: You are cordially invited to the ELCA Gocal Mission Event, Friday, August 24 from 2:00 pm until 8:30 pm, and Saturday, August 25 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This event is designed to bring our global missions to local settings (thus: glocal). The August event is being held at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1236 Layton Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI. For more information go to: www.elca.org/glocal.

You are making a difference: A comfortable room with plenty of seating, a place for learning about our faith for an hour each week, books, Bibles, catechism and lessons. Thank you for making confirmation instruction possible for our 9 seventh and eighth graders. Confirmation is Sunday, May 20 at the 8:45 am service.

Upcoming: Every Sunday – the best hour of the week at 8:45 and 11:00 am!
Saturday, April 14: NIU Cares Day – church cleanup from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm.
Saturday, April 21: Women’s Spring Banquet, 12:00 pm.
Sunday, May 20: Confirmation at 8:45 am service.

See you in church!
Pastor Gary

]]>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:29:18 -0800http://bethlehemdekalb.org/1/post/2012/04/bethlehem-bits51.htmlGreetings from 1915 N. First St.:

Bethlehem is connected: Bethlehem is a congregation of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We join with the other 152 congregations and 100,000 church members in our synod who are gathering for worship, prayer, word and sacraments during Holy week as we journey toward Easter.

You are making a difference: Exciting things are happening in the Northern Illinois Synod! Because of Bethlehem and the other 152 congregations of the Northern Illinois Synod, the gospel is being boldly proclaimed and countless lives of people are being touched with the love of Christ. Indeed, we are celebrating what God has done in our life together as a Synod over the past 25 years and what God might have in store for the next 25 years and beyond. As we look ahead to ministry as the Northern Illinois Synod, we are embarking upon a Synod-wide initiative that will help us grow our ministry of proclamation. This initiative is called “Funds for Mission” Miracle Sunday and it will take place on Sunday, May 20, 2012. The purpose of “Fund for Mission” Miracle Sunday is to receive one - time gifts from our 153 congregations and members totaling $300,000 for our Northern Illinois Synod Mission Fund. Please pray and consider a generous gift to the Fund for Mission on May 20.

Upcoming:
 Every Sunday – the best hour of the week: 8:45 and 11:00 am!
 Easter Sunday: 9:30 am Festival Worship.
Saturday, April 14: NIU Cares Day: 8:00 am until noon.
Saturday, April 21: Women’s Spring Banquet: 12:00 noon
Wednesday, April 25: World Malaria Day – please pray for an end to this disease.
Sunday, May 20: Confirmation!

See you in church,

Pr. Gary

]]>Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:32:13 -0800http://bethlehemdekalb.org/1/post/2012/03/bethlehem-bits50.htmlGreetings from 1915 N. First St,

Bethlehem is connected: The ELCA Malaria Campaign is in full swing. Lutherans in Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe are already distributing mosquito nets and medicine along with educational efforts to stop this deadly disease. Our sisters and brothers in Liberia are ready for our help. Lutherans in Liberia have a large network of hospitals and clinics ready to conquer malaria. You can help by making a contribution to the ELCA Malaria Campaign at www.elca.org/malaria.

You are making a difference: Bethlehem is a worksite for the Illinois Department of Human Services, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program. We have up to 7 mothers in the EarnFare program. EarnFare allows recipients to receive financial, housing, child-care, medical, and food assistance by doing community service for non-profit organizations. Bethlehem’s participation in this program is one of the many ways we minister to community needs. Thank you.

Upcoming:
Sundays at 8:45 and 11:00 am: the best hour of the week!
Sunday, April 1: Palm/Passion Sunday
Thursday, April 5: Maundy Thursday Worship at 7:00pm
Friday, April 6: Good Friday Worship at 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 7: Easter Vigil Worship at 7:00 pm
Easter Sunday, April 8: One Festival Worship at 9:30 am
Saturday, April 14: NIU Cares Day 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Saturday, April 21: Women’s Spring Banquet at 12:00 pm

See you in worship!

Pastor Gary

]]>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:21:51 -0800http://bethlehemdekalb.org/1/post/2012/03/bethlehem-bits49.htmlGreetings from 1915 N. First St.,

Bethlehem is connected: The 100 Wells Challenge at ELCA Youth Gathering in July:
Just $2500 could build a well that provides clean water for up to 500 families. The 100 Wells Challenge allows youth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) across the country to make a difference by raising $250,000 to build 100 wells or support water projects where they are needed most. Two of Bethlehem’s youth, Anastasia Wade and Stefany Veldhuizen are traveling to New Orleans this summer. Supporting their trip produces worldwide benefits!

You are making a difference: The season of Lent is winding down. We have one more Wednesday evening service before entering Holy Week. Your financial support provides a clean, comfortable, and safe place for worship. Thank you!

Upcoming: Note: No Confirmation Class Wednesday, March 28
Sundays: the best hour of the week at 8:45 and 11:00 am
Thursday, April 5, 7:00 pm: Maundy Thursday Worship
Friday, April 6, 7:00 pm: Good Friday Worship
Saturday, April 7, 7:00 pm: Easter Vigil Worship
Sunday, April 8, 9:30 am: Easter Festival Worship

Saturday, April 14, NIU Cares Day: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (We need spray bottles of window cleaner, old newspapers, snacks and drinks  - thank you!)

Saturday, April 21, 12:00 pm: Women’s Spring Banquet

See you in worship!

Pr. Gary

]]>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:49:26 -0800http://bethlehemdekalb.org/1/post/2012/03/bethlehem-bits48.htmlGreetings from 1915 N. First St,

Bethlehem is connected: The internet has enabled a great amount of information right at our fingertips. Among the great resources available to us are those from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Check out the online catalog at www.elca.org/resources.

You are making a difference: The hours add up. Just our regular activities keep the building open 30 to 40 hours per week. Add in special activities and the number grows larger! Our well used building shows our intention to be active in the life of faith and the life of our community. Thank you for sharing the financial resources allowing us to keep our doors open for the life and vitality of congregation and community.

Update:
Every Sunday: the best hours of the week at 8:45 and 11:00 am.
Wednesdays, March 21 and 28, 7:00 pm: Midweek Evening Prayer for Lent
Saturdays, March 24 and 31, 10:00 am: First Communion classes
Holy Week: April 5, 6, 7, at 7:00 pm
Easter Sunday: one service at 9:30 am
Saturday, April 14, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm: NIU Cares Day
    
See you in worship!
Pr. Gary

]]>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:49:39 -0800http://bethlehemdekalb.org/1/post/2012/03/bethlehem-bits47.htmlBethlehem is connected: The ELCA Global Mission Unit has sponsored the International Leadership Development Program since 1988. To date 800 students from our international partners have learned leadership skills through this program. There are currently 45 international students learning leadership skills to apply in their own countries.

You are making a difference: Box after box of fresh pears and bagged spinach came through the church’s doors yesterday. Community members who want to give something back to our food pantry picked these overstock items up from local grocers. Today those fresh items are supplementing the canned and boxed goods normally distributed to our pantry guests. Your donations to Bethlehem’s general fund keep our building open and active as we share with others.

Bethlehem’s mission: Sharing Christ with you and your home.

Update: Every Sunday – the best hour of the week at 8:45 or 11:00 am.
Wednesdays March 14, 21, and 28, 7:00 pm. Lenten Mid-week worship.
Maundy Thursday worship: April 5 at 7:00 pm
Good Friday worship: April 6 at 7:00 pm
Easter Vigil worship: April 7 at 7:00 pm

Easter Sunday worship: One service at 9:30 am

NIU Cares Day: Saturday, April 14 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

See you in worship!

Pr. Gary

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