Bethel Lutheran Visitor - February 2017 Page 1 Bethel Lutheran Church – Making Christ known! NON-PROFIT ORG. 90 Bryn Mawr Avenue U.S. POSTAGE PAID Auburn, MA 01501 PERMIT#205 Bethelauburn.org – Auburn Campus of Grace Ministries, A NES Yoke WORCESTER, MA FACEBOOK: BethelLutheranauburnma Lutheran Inter Parish Youth NEWSLETTER February 2017 TIME SENSITIVE SUNDAY HOLY COMMUNION 8:00 AM (Lay Lead) & 10:15AM WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER W/HOLY COMMUNION 5:30 PM PLEASE DO NOT DELAY Our lives are formed by Word and Sacrament, and we gather as the beloved children of God around the means of grace where our lives are in Christ.
Transcript
Bethel Lutheran Visitor - February 2017
Page 1
Bethel Lutheran Church – Making Christ known! NON-PROFIT ORG.
90 Bryn Mawr Avenue U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Auburn, MA 01501 PERMIT#205 Bethelauburn.org – Auburn Campus of Grace Ministries, A NES Yoke WORCESTER, MA
FACEBOOK: BethelLutheranauburnma
Lutheran Inter Parish Youth
NEWSLETTER February 2017 TIME SENSITIVE
SUNDAY HOLY COMMUNION 8:00 AM (Lay Lead) & 10:15AM
WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER W/HOLY COMMUNION 5:30 PM PLEASE DO NOT DELAY
Our lives are formed by Word and
Sacrament, and we gather as the beloved
children of God around the means of grace
where our lives are in Christ.
Bethel Lutheran Visitor - February 2017
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Pastor’s Corner
We continue our walk through Epiphany-
tide in February wherein is contained the theme of “light shining in the darkness”, a reference to God’s pervasive love manifest for humanity in the person of Jesus: Love that stands fast against all that is not loving or grace-filled, all that is dark. Love that is eternal and a truth the prophets and ultimately Jesus have worked hard to impress upon humanity.
Light Houses bring to mind for me the idea, in a humanly contrived way for making sense, of what this looks like; that despite general darkness or that which is also shrouded with “more” like mists, fog, storms, there is a beacon reaching out to guide one home. That is, if we’re aware something, Someone, is there!
In the preaching we’ve considered things like “How well are we doing in remembering God each day?” Or, “When those challenges in life hit, do we remember to pray and trust in God, or are we hiding in a corner/”
Life can certainly be an up and down affair, for everyone. Sometimes we get “signals” mixed up, cues from people we know or think we know and this leads to misunderstanding. Other times news services bring messages of doom and gloom that wash over us, soaking us in sentiment, anguish, hopelessness… Another moment everything is going great and we’re breathing a sigh of relief.
But, what if the track of life we’re on could be leveled out some? What if the entire
progression could be less stressful and more joyful?
Leaning into life from the perspective that we’re not alone and a “light” is seeking to guide us along can make a big difference, than, say, just rolling with the “punches.”
And that’s the point of the teaching from the law and the prophets, and Jesus himself. God is bending over to help us out, but our need to for being aware in this matter. Otherwise, the counsel, the benefit, the blessings can be missed and our lives suffer for no good reason.
On the last Sunday of February, we celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord. This refers to Jesus’ countenance undergoing a shift from normal human appearance towards a radiance, a glow engendering the idea of unlimited energy and power; a manifestation of the glory that is God for us (Immanuel) and presenting through earthly ministry truths and understanding for meeting and holding onto God.
May whatever darkness encroaching on the edges of our days be increasingly dispersed by the radiance of God’s love, shining forth as grace and mercy in the person of the Christ as the Spirit seeks to meet us where we are and save us from ourselves; our worry, our insecurities, our need, and replaced by wholeness, hope and steadfastness, a looking forward and towards its Source.
In Christ’s name ☩
Pastor Andrew
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Grace Ministries Lenten Journey
In an effort to gear us up for worship and study opportunities in March, please note below:
a) Lenten Devotional books from Lutheran Indian Ministries will be available about mid-February to take with and prepare for your nurture.
b) Ash Wednesday services: 5:30PM at Bethel and 7PM @ Zion
c) Wednesday Mid-Week services: alternating between Zion and Bethel > 5:30PM potluck meal and discussion, followed by
7PM worship. d) Holy Week Lay-Lead Prayer Service “During Holy Week some communities gather each
day to mediate on Jesus’ final days before his death on the cross.” (Sunday and Seasons Introduction
for Monday in Holy Week), We invite you to join us as we prepare ourselves for our journey through the Three Days looking at key readings of events in Jesus’ life that lead him to the cross. Our prayer services will be led by Adam Hanks and will also include prayers, hymns and a homily.
April 10, 11 & 12 @5:30PM at Bethel
e) Maundy Thursday services: 5:30PM at Bethel and 7PM @ Zion
f) Good Friday services: Noontime Stations of the Cross service at Bethel in cooperation with the Auburn
Ecumenical Group
7PM Ecumenical Tenebrae Service in Greendale, location TBA
You’re invited to join the choir for special music from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Please see Lois Toeppner if you are interest. All are welcome!
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JANUARY 2017
Karen Baril 02/03 Doris Belk 02/03 Laura Thunberg 02/03 Cameron Gagnon 02/07 Karen Wambach 02/09 Linda Rocheford 02/11 Tony Benvenuti 02/12 Annalise Peters 02/13 Sean Townsend 02/16 Robert Townsend 02/16 Liz Blash 02/17 Allayne Nelson 02/24 Julia Benvenuti 02/25 William Wright 02/28
Members names are underlined: Bold face are newly added as of 1/17/2017
Mary Ardan, Helen Armstrong, Phil Becker, Judy
Garneau, Stephen Johnson, Jean Latti,
Matthews Family, Jan Moir, Alice Nobert, Steve
Trilligan, Kay Venning, Jane Umphrey
In Memoriam: June Lewis
Hospitalized or other Health Care Facilities
Life Care: Carolyn Dumais
Millbury Health: Delores Bengtsson
Lincoln Hill Manor, Spencer: Dot Reid
Sterling Village Nursing & Rehab: Frances Gadde
The Overlook (Masonic Home): Audrey
Sturdevant
BETHEL BOOKIES Bookies: 2017 schedule
Friday February 17, 2017 “A Man Called Ove” by Frederick Backman Friday March 17, 2017 “The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman Friday April 21, 2017 “Ordinary Grace” by William Kent Krueger
Dismas House The following Fridays we will be serving and joining
in meal with the folks at Dismas. Call church office
and leave your name if you are interested in joining us
for any of these dates.
Fri. Feb. 24th Fri. Mar. 24th Fri. Apr. 28th
DINE OUT LADIES (DOL’s!)
February 7th at 6pm at Chuck’s Steak House, Route
20 Auburn. Meet at the restaurant - each person is
responsible for the cost of their meal. Sign up in the
Narthex.
Dear Bethel Family,
Thanks for all the outpouring of love, support and
sympathy at the untimely death of my beloved son,
Ronald Jr. Thanks for the cards, the words of comfort
and for your caring. For a parent to lose a child is a loss
which cannot be described. I pray God will take him
MEMORIAL FUND GIFTS A Memorial Fund was given in memory of Ronald
Salmonson, Jr. by Judy Hodgerney.
SEMINARIAN FUND GIFTS A Seminarian Fund was given by Carolyn
Salmonson.
CHANGES If you have moved and have a new address, telephone number or email address please notify the office so that we can update our directories that will be coming out in the near future. Thank you!
OPENINGS FOR FLOWERS
FEBRUARY OPEN – 02/05 & 02/26
Open dates are available for flowers. Please see the flower sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Thank you!
INCLEMENT WEATHER
CANCELLATION POLICY In the event of inclement weather notices regarding
building closures and cancellationas will be found on the
following:
Television – WBZ Channel 4
and WCVB Channel 5
Website – WHDH Channel 7
is internet only
www.whdh.com
Radio – WSRS 96.1 FM or WTAG 580 AM
HOMELESS CARE KITS
As we travel around the city and surrounding
towns, most all of us encounter those struggling
with homelessness and joblessness asking for
assistance at many traffic islands.
Below is a listing of items recommended that we
will be asking our community to donate
throughout the year.
Socks, gloves, granola bars, vitamin enhanced
water/sports drinks, combs, large Ziploc storage
bags, blank 4” x 6” card stock, gum, soap, lotion,
nail clippers, hand sanitizer, trail mix,
toothbrushes, toothpaste
BETHEL PRESCHOOL
The school with a difference
Open House for September 2017 registration
Monday February 6th, 3:30PM-6:30PM
We offer core morning sessions for both Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten children with the option of Early Birds and Lunch Bunch to better
serve your needs. Please come and visit and see what we are all about. We would love to
meet you and answer any questions you might
have about our program.
Serving children and families since 1977
90 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Auburn, MA
508-832-9411
Bethel Preschool is collecting “Pennies for Patients” in
LIPY-CM in February School Vacation Week – Wednesday, 2/22, 12:45PM – 3PM
Serving the food insecure @ Carty Food Cupboard
Of Wesley United Methodist Church, Worcester
First-come to register (limited #): see PA
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Please share my thanks with all the kids at LIPY.
You guys did it again! This has been well over a
decade of caring for the most vulnerable families and
their children at Christmas. I think of your dedication
to this group at your most busy time of the winter
season and also the time and energy the kids have
spent raising money and gathering donations which
makes this program so successful. It is not only the
preparation but the time it took to carefully shop and
wrap each present for the children of Concordia.
For most of the twenty-nine kids you gifted this year,
those were their only gifts received as some are living
so marginally that it is hard for most of us to imagine.
I have all the fun because I get to deliver the gifts to
the families. How exciting it is to see them burst out
of the house to receive them each year.
Hope I am able to convey our deep gratitude to all
of you who worked on this project. You are in our
prayers and we wish you a Blessed New Year!
Peace Be With You,
Joyce Restadt, Concordia Lutheran
COUNCIL CONNECTION HAPPY NEW YEARS to one and all!! As we begin 2017 here at Bethel Lutheran Church, I am very uplifted by the energy and joy that I feel at our church!
This letter will be brief, because in my Annual Report, I have described our congregation and my gratitude and joy as we ended 2016 and begin 2017!! I look forward to our planning and carrying forward our work as God’s servants in our church and with our community. I have many thoughts and ideas for this coming year!! I know that many of you also have wonderful ideas and suggestions to broaden our faith community! Please do share
them with me or anyone on council. We will make sure to bring them forward for discussion. We will help to make them happen!
I thank everyone who attended and contributed to our Annual Meeting! I feel honored to serve as your Congregational Council President! Please let me know of any thoughts and ideas that you have to help Bethel continue to grow in membership and service!!
Thank you!!
Prayerfully Grover Gentry Congregation Council President
Special Appeal
2017 Biennial Conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
Greetings, Greg and I, as Bethel's choir directors, have a
wonderful opportunity to attend a national conference hosted by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM). Greg is currently a member of the ALCM, and I will be joining myself in the near future. The conference will take place in Minneapolis, MN, July 10-13, 2017.
The conference will include a variety of workshops including some geared toward Children's & Bell Choirs, psalmody and liturgy, among other topics. Greg and I would bring back very valuable information that would be applied to our music program to elevate the program and further enhance our worship experience. This is a wonderful opportunity for Greg and I to connect with other musicians in the ELCA and gain valuable knowledge and resources to benefit Bethel!
We have already received our Council's full support. However, there is a cost for this conference and our proposed 2017 budget cannot support this wonderful opportunity. We are in need of the Congregation's help and support to get Greg and I to Minneapolis. We are looking for special financial gifts to help offset the cost. We will also be hosting a few fundraisers to further offset the cost. Any gift is truly appreciated! When giving a financial gift, please note somewhere that it is for the "2017 Music Conference".
Thank you and God's peace, Adam Hanks, Bell Choir Director
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Congregation Council EXECUTIVE TEAM: President - Grover Gentry Vice President – Roberta Briggs Secretary – Adam Hanks
Cate Spanos, Christina Nelson, Betsy Baird, Bev Sampson, Phil Becker
Yoke Council Co Presidents Grover Gentry (Bethel) & Donna Hayes (Zion) Secretary – Bill McGovern (Zion)
Betsy Baird & Christine Belmonte (Bethel), David Toombs (Zion)
Functional Units Social Ministry – Marie Sturdevant & Judy Sampson
Sunday School – Pam Sutton Finance Team – Lisa Ferreira, Chair Property Team – Dave Sutton, Chair Altar Guild – Leanne Carraher, Chair
