Bethlehem Bits 02/09/2012
 
Bethlehem is connected: It was awesome – and inspiring! I recently attended the second year of the Head of Staff Seminar held at the Duncan Center in Delray Beach, Florida. More than 100 pastors from all over the ELCA attended this wonderful continuing education event. I am thankful for the partnerships available to us as members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The seminar was a cooperative venture of the ELCA, Augsburg Fortress, Augsburg College Center for Faith and Learning, Vibrant Faith Ministries, and the Center for Emotional Intelligence.

You are making a difference: Amani ikae nanyi (Peace be with you). Christ’s worldwide embrace becomes known to us through our partnerships. Whether in Tanzania, or in the USA, worshipers greet one another with words of peace. Your gifts to Bethlehem help us keep all of our partnerships active. Thank you.

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

Upcoming:
Sunday, February 12: The Reverend Amanda Bergstrom, Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock, leads worship and adult class.
Wednesday, February 22 7:00 pm: Ash Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 29 7:00 pm: Midweek worship
    
See you soon!
Pastor Gary

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Bethlehem Bits 01/26/2012
 
Greetings from 1915 N. First St:

Bethlehem is connected: Our sisters and brothers in the Arcot Lutheran Church have sent an urgent plea for assistance in recovering from Cyclone Thane. The Northern Illinois Synod Council recently approved $15,000.00 in assistance. $10,000.00 will go to the ACT Alliance to assist church bodies connected to the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (a coalition of Indian Lutheran Church bodies), and $5,000.00 will go directly to the ALC. A portion of your support of Bethlehem’s budget goes to the Northern Illinois Synod. Congregations working together create the ability to make a difference in the lives of many.

You are making a difference: Confirmation students come every Wednesday at 5:00pm. Yesterday we asked these questions: If God used money – what would God but? How much would God spend? It’s a good question and gets to the heart of our own stewardship. How would you answer those questions?

Upcoming:
Sunday, January 29, 10:00 am: Annual Meeting, Part 2
Sunday, February 5: Pastor Diane Dardón leads worship and adult forum.
Sunday, February 12: Pastor Amanda Bergstrom leads worship and adult forum.
Wednesday, February 22, 7:00 pm: Ash Wednesday Worship
Wednesday Evening Worship, 7pm: February 22 through March 28.

See you in worship!

Pr. Gary

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Bethlehem Bits 01/19/2012
 
Bethlehem is connected: Are you, or do you know, a young adult between the ages of 19 and 29? The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program offers service opportunities in 10 different countries. Participants in the YAGM program learn valuable life skills as they work with people of all ages during their year of service. For more informationL www.elca.org/yagm.

You are making a difference: Please note the large chart in the church lounge. The chart compares the number of people served by our pantry in 2010 and 2011. Here’s a sample of what you will see. Total number of people served in 2010: 20,834. Total served in 2011: 26,528! You truly are making a difference.

Upcoming:
Every Sunday: the best hour of the week!
Sunday, January 29 10:00 am: Annual Meeting, Part 2
Wednesday, February 22 7:00 pm: Ash Wednesday worship

See you in worship!
Pr. Gary

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Bethlehem Bits 01/12/2012
 
Greetings from 1915 N. First St.

Bethlehem is connected: The ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) has begun a worldwide appeal to assist recovery efforts following Cyclone Thane which hit the southeast coast of India on December 20, 2011. To date we know of 48 lives lost, thousands of homes destroyed, farmers lost much of their livestock and 100,000 acres of crop land was damaged in the storm. Please pray for our partners in the Arcot Lutheran Church and in the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India as they work with their international partners during this time of grief and recovery.

You are making a difference: The Northern Illinois Synod Ski Day at Chestnut Mountain, Galena, is Monday, January 16. I still have room in my car for a couple of young people wanting to ski or snowboard. Lift, lesson, lunch and rental package is only $45.00. Let me know as soon as possible if you want to go!

Upcoming:
Every Sunday: Worship at 8:45 or 11:00. Sunday School for all ages during the 10:00 hour.
Sunday, January 29, 10:00 am: Annual Meeting, Part 2.
Wednesday, February 22, 7:00pm: Ash Wednesday Worship
    
See you in church,
Pr. Gary

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Bethlehem Bits 01/05/2012
 
Happy New Year from 1915 N. First St.

Bethlehem is connected: Our partners in the Arcot Lutheran Church are assisting the recovery efforts following Cyclone Thane. As members of the ELCA we are partners in the ACT Alliance participating in relief efforts along with 125 other church bodies. The alliance works in 140 countries and annually mobilizes $1.6 billion in aid and relief work. For more information: www.actalliance.org.

You are making a difference: Today, the 12th day of Christmas, marks the last day of this short and sweet season. Tomorrow we celebrate Epiphany, the revelation of Christ to the gentiles commemorated in the arrival of the wise men at Bethlehem – Matthew 2:1-12. Thank you for faithfully following the life of Christ through the seasons of the Church Year.

Upcoming:
Sunday, January 8, 11:00 am: Epiphany Program with potluck meal following.
Sunday, January 29, 10:00 am: Annual Meeting, Part 2
Wednesday, February 22, 7:00 pm: Ash Wednesday Worship.
Every Sunday – Share your faith by bringing your friends and family!
July 26-August 8, 2012: Companion Synod visit to Tanzania- come join us!

See you in worship,
Pastor Gary
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Bethlehem Bits 12/29/2011
 
New Year Greetings from 1915 N. First St,

Bethlehem is connected: My friend, Sundar, head of the Arcot Lutheran Church Schools Project in Tamil Nadu, India, sent Christmas Greetings to Bethlehem on Monday. What a gift to receive warm wishes from Bethlehem’s international friends. The work you do on their behalf is noted and appreciated by the students and staff of the ALC schools! Thank you.

You are making a difference: Bethlehem’s food pantry has been busier than usual this morning. Your gifts to the congregation’s general fund and to the food pantry keep this vital lifeline open to meet the nutrition needs of more than 2,000 people each month. Thank you.

Upcoming:
Sunday, January 1, 9:30 am: New Year’s Day Worship
Sunday, January 8, 11:00 am: Epiphany Program, pot-luck follows.
Sunday, January 29, 10:00 am: Annual Meeting, Part 2
Every Sunday – bring a friend – bring your loved ones!

See you in worship!
Pr. Gary

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Bethlehem Bits 12/22/2011
 
Bethlehem Bits
12/22/11
Christmas greetings from 1915 N. First St,
Bethlehem is connected: Bethlehem, a congregation of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, supports the growth of the Lutheran Church in Tanzania through our financial support. Each year our synod generously supplies seminary and high school scholarships; training for evangelists and teachers; support for the ongoing work of the North Central Diocese; and food assistance for a rural boarding high school. Thank you for the gifts you give through Bethlehem’s general fund.

You are making a difference: “Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise…” Join the chorus of praise at Bethlehem Christmas Eve at 7:00 pm; Christmas Day at 9:30 am; New Year’s Day at 9:30 am. Every voice strengthens the congregation’s praise!

Upcoming:
Confirmation classes resume Wednesday, January 4, 5:00 pm.
Sunday school resumes Sunday, January 8, 10:00 am.
Epiphany Program, Sunday, January 8, 11:00 am – potluck follows.
Ash Wednesday worship: February 22, 7:00 pm.

See you in Worship!
Pr. Gary

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Bethlehem Bits 12/15/2011
 
Greetings from 1915 N. First St:

Bethlehem is connected: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is actively involved with other organizations in fighting malaria. This preventable disease kills nearly one million people each year. Learn how you can support this life saving initiative at www.elca.org/malaria.

You are making a difference: Thank you for your great participation in Annual Meeting Part 1 held last Sunday. Because of your faithful support Bethlehem intends to be actively engaged in ministry locally, regionally and globally! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Upcoming:

Saturday, December 24, 7:00 pm: Christmas Eve Worship

Sunday, December 25, 9:30 am: Christmas Day Worship

Sunday, January 1, 9:30 am: New Year’s Day Worship

Sunday, January 8, 11:00 am: Epiphany Program with pot-luck following (Program props are needed: leather wineskins, decorative birdcage, cloth flour sacks, and help padding the camel costume.)

Sunday, January 29, 10:00 am: Annual Meeting Part 2

See you in worship!

Pr. Gary

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Bethlehem Bits 12/08/2011
 
Greetings from 1915 N. First St.

Bethlehem is connected: Men’s ministry in the ELCA is growing! Lutheran Men in Mission is the men's ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LMM works to strengthen men's Christian faith, relationships, witness and service in their homes, congregation and communities. Learn more at: www.lutheranmeninmission.org.

You are making a difference: Response to Bethlehem’s “Buy-a-Degree” boiler repayment program has been great. The program ends December 31! Your help in finishing this project is appreciated. Please be sure that gifts are marked “Buy-a-Degree Boiler Repayment Fund!” Thank you for keeping Bethlehem warm!

Making a difference II: Have you seen the 2012 Youth Gathering Giving Tree? You’ll find it in the lounge. Take an envelope off the tree and help send our youth to New Orleans.

Making a difference III: The following items are needed for the Epiphany Program: leather “wineskins,” decorative birdcage, cloth flour sacks, wooden bucket, benches to seat up to 20 children. Help is also needed to make the Bethlehem Camel more comfortable. See Valerie Talsma for details.

Upcoming:
Sunday, December 11, 10:00 am: Annual Meeting, Part 1
Saturday, December 24, 7:00 pm: Christmas Eve Worship
Sunday, December 25, 9:30 am: Christmas Day Worship
Sunday, January 1, 9:30 am: New Year’s Day Worship
Sunday, January 8, 11:00am: Epiphany Program, worship, and potluck

See you in worship,

Pr. Gary

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Bethlehem Bits 11/29/2011
 
Greetings from 1915 N. First St,

Bethlehem is connected: Kilpennathur Pastorate, recently added to our Sunday prayers, is part of the Arcot Lutheran Church. The Danish Mission School at Somasipadi serves the children of the Kilpennathur Pastorate (parish). Bethlehem’s gift of a library for Somasipadi has raised the reading and comprehension scores of the high school students!

You are making a difference: Today’s blustery winds caused many to give thanks for the shelter provided by Bethlehem’s building. Your faithful support of Bethlehem’s budget shelters bodies and souls. Thank you.

Upcoming:
Saturday, December 3, 5:30 pm: Ethnic Christmas Party!
Sunday, December 4, 10:00 am: Young Adults meet in the frog pond.
Sunday, December 11, 10:00 am: Annual Meeting Part 1
Saturday, December 24, 7:00 pm: Christmas Eve Worship
Sunday, December 25, 9:30 am: Christmas Day Worship
Sunday, January 1, 9:30 am: New Year’s Day Worship

See you in church!

Pr. Gary

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